As an HR or business leader, you’ve likely noticed some not-so-awesome trends around the workplace—rising stress, burnout, fragile morale—even if you haven’t put a name to them yet. A shaky economy, sky-high grocery and gas prices, and the lingering impact of a global pandemic have left your people carrying a heavy load.
And that weight? It’s taking a toll on their mental health and your business. Basically, you’ve got a workforce running on empty. The truth is, many of your employees could be stuck in a stress-fueled financial spiral right now.
But here’s the best news you’ll hear all day: You can help them break free.
The Mental Health Reality in the Workplace
At your next morning meeting, be sure to take a real look around the room. Behind the mask of professionalism (and the extra-large cold brew), there’s a hidden battle that’s tearing your people apart. Here’s what we mean:
- 53% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck.
- Nearly half have trouble paying bills—and 1 in 3 had to made late payments in the past month.
- 6 in 10 U.S. adults worry about their money daily.
- 46% of employees say their mental health has impacted their ability to do their job.
This kind of stress doesn’t stay at home. It follows your people to work, clocking in alongside them and spreading, which impairs emotional self-regulation, decision-making and relationships. All this leads to:
- Fatigue, irritability and outbursts
- Impulsive exits and overlooked details
- Trust issues, unhealthy conflict and tension
The common thread? Money—a perfect storm of financial stress wreaking havoc on your people, their productivity and your bottom line.
How Financial Stress Affects the Workplace
It’s a vicious cycle—financial stress fuels emotional strain, leading to performance dips, which creates tension between employees and leaders. Lather, rinse and repeat.
It shows up as:
- Quiet quitting
- Avoidance
- Short tempers
- Disengagement and distraction
The cost? Burnout, absenteeism, low engagement and of course, turnover. And it’s hitting your bottom line hard. In fact, 54% of employers say it costs $10,000 or more to replace just one team member. Yikes, right?
And no—a raise won’t fix this. Because it’s not a math problem. It’s not even really an income problem, even if that’s the story driving most turnover. In fact, over a third of people earning over $100,000 a year still live paycheck to paycheck. This is a behavior problem. And most of your people have no idea how to fix it. It’s not about willpower. It’s about giving your team a playbook they can follow—one that sticks.
The Business Case for Financial Wellness
A smart financial wellness program does more than toss around money tips—it gives your people a proven path forward. The best programs tackle real-world problems head on with simple, powerful steps. This includes learning how to budget, track spending, eliminate debt, and plan for the future.
We’ve seen the most powerful impact when employees are empowered with:
- Behavioral support rooted in real habits, not just spreadsheets
- A focus on eliminating debt, not managing it
- Coaching and accountability that guide them every step of the way
- A structured plan that makes the next move clear and achievable
- Accessible tools that build lasting habits, not quick fixes
Here’s the reality: Financial wellness is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s a must-have business strategy. Seventy-three percent of employees say they wish their company offered more resources to help them manage money.
And when they get that? Businesses see real results.
Around 90% of benefits decision-makers say their financial wellness programs effectively boost employee productivity, overall well-being and attraction and retention of talent. Also, 81% of employees who used SmartDollar—Ramsey Solutions’ financial wellness program—say they’d recommend their employer to a job-seeking friend. In 2025, can you afford not to have these competitive advantages?
Culture Shift: The Freedom That Financial Wellness Brings
We’ve seen it firsthand: When people feel cared for, they show up. They stop avoiding hard conversations. They start living without fear—stepping up when it counts. And they become more present, more productive and more confident. And those positive changes? Just like the stress you’ve kicked, they ripple through the workplace.
The numbers don’t lie—your workplace can either add to your team’s stress or help take it off their shoulders. As a leader, you get to shape that reality. Your team doesn’t need just another checkbox benefit. They need one that makes an impact.
See what that really looks like at finanicalwellness.com.