Employees and employers alike are grappling with increasing levels of financial anxiety, and this trend has not gone unnoticed by HR teams. In recent times, employee financial anxiety has been a major driver of the high quit rate, with many employees seeking higher-paying jobs or accepting new roles with better benefits packages. This, in turn, has put HR teams firmly in talent-retention mode over the past year. But the impact of employee financial insecurity runs deeper than retention rates alone; companies are better off when their employees are in a strong financial position.
The idea that an employee’s financial health affects their productivity and engagement at work is not new. Companies that offer financial wellness programs to their employees have long understood the benefits of having financially secure employees who are more focused and better equipped to tackle workplace challenges. Unsurprisingly, employees who are worried about their finances are often distracted by money worries and can produce lower quality work.
This is where HR teams come in. HR teams need to focus on providing the financial support their workforces need to reduce employee anxiety and increase engagement in the workplace. There are several ways in which HR departments can do this:
Household debt hit $16.51 trillion in the third quarter of 2021. This staggering number is one of the primary reasons why employees today are feeling financial anxiety more than ever before. HR teams can help alleviate some of this stress by providing financial education and resources to their employees. Almost three-quarters of employees would like their employers to offer more resources to help them manage their finances better. These resources could range from free financial planning software to access to financial experts who can help employees understand their financial options and make better financial decisions.
HR teams can also create personalized financial coaching and wellness plans for their employees. These can be customized based on an employee’s current financial situation, as well as their financial aspirations. By providing employees with one-on-one coaching and access to financial planning tools, HR teams can help them gain better control over their finances.
Employees are also increasingly demanding flexibility from their companies and the ability to pursue their own financial aspirations without work getting in the way. This means that HR teams need to find ways to offer employees greater flexibility when it comes to their work schedules and vacation time. By offering flexible work arrangements, HR teams can help employees balance their work and personal financial goals more easily.
By ensuring the financial health of their employees, HR teams won’t just put them in a stronger position to navigate 2021 – they’ll also give those employees a reason to stay with the company over the long term. Retaining employees is essential for any company, but research shows that employees are more likely to stay with their employers if they feel that their employer has their best interests at heart.
In conclusion, employee financial anxiety is a growing concern for employers and HR teams, but there are solutions available to address this issue. HR teams can take proactive steps to support their workforce by providing financial resources, personalized coaching, and greater flexibility. By doing so, they can put their employees in a stronger financial position and increase their overall productivity, engagement, and loyalty to the company. This, in turn, benefits employers who can retain talented employees, promote greater teamwork and collaboration, and ultimately drive business success in the years to come.
