American businesses have long realized the added value that health wellness programs deliver. A healthier workforce translates into a number of business benefits: fewer absences, more productive employees, better employee retention, and less stress on the employer-sponsored health insurance program. Likewise, employees enjoy access to programs that improve their health. Today, 77% of employers that provide health benefits offer at least one wellness program.

Yet when it comes to financial wellness, employers have yet to fully understand the impact that an employee's financial condition has on the bottom line. Just 6% of employees surveyed strongly agree that their employer does things to help them manage their finances more effectively[i].

Financial strains among your employees can happen quickly. Accidents, illnesses or unexpected deaths can create a devastating burden that can impact not just the employee, but also the business. In a recent survey, 24% of employees say that personal financial issues cause distractions at work, and 39% spend three or more hours a week thinking about or dealing with those issues while on the job[ii].