How employers can support financial well-being in an uncertain political climate

Government employees just missed their second paycheck, forcing many families to dip into savings or worse – make impossible choices between childcare, rent, food and other basic needs.

With 40 percent of Americans unable to cover a $400 emergency expense, the shutdown is highlighting the lack of financial well-being among even the hardest working professionals.

And it’s not just a problem in the public sector.

Financial strain is a silent stressor for more than half of U.S. employees who report spending hours at work thinking about their finances.

A 2018 PwC study found that 42 percent of employees will use money held in retirement plans for expenses other than retirement. That number is even higher among employees who are stressed about their finances or impacted by student loans.

Employers have an opportunity to support financial well-being in a time when employees need it most. And they can approach it just as they do areas of well-being, like physical, emotional and work.

In fact, the PwC study found that financial well-being resources, like unbiased counselors and support navigating benefits, are the most desired benefits from employees.

Here are five ways you — as an employer — can help your people become more financially sound:

1. Show that you care

At the company I head, we believe every employee should know their company cares. It’s the key to a happy, healthy and high-performing workplace.

But I’m not talking about compensation, benefits or raises. This comes down to the day-to-day interactions you have with your employees.

You might listen to what your employees have to say, but do you really hear them? Take employee feedback seriously to tackle not only professional roadblocks but personal ones too.

Finances can be a sensitive subject, so do what you can to meet then where they are and provide resources that help them along their financial journey. When you cultivate a relationship built off caring and trust, it sets everyone up for success.

2. Know where you stand

Have you addressed stress in your workforce? Do you know how many employees are under severe stress or what the cause is?

Start by figuring out your numbers. You can do this with a comprehensive well-being assessment that addresses specific needs of your company and your employees — including financial.

Consider incorporating questions like, “I am satisfied with my current financial situation,” “I live paycheck to paycheck,” or “Financial stress is taking a toll on me,” to help give you a pulse on your workforce.

3. Educate and encourage retirement savings

Saving for retirement is a lot easier than most people think. In fact, a 401(k) is one of the most painless paths to financial health.

Over time, 401(k) contributions add up fast. And can make a huge impact on your savings.

Most companies have an annual meeting around enrollment dates and important information, but it’s really up to the employee to act on their retirement plan.

Consider teaching key financial principles through lunch-and-learns or “town halls.” Cover topics like paycheck discipline, taxes and the time-value of money.

You can even incorporate financial activities into your employee engagement program — think short videos, success stories from retired employees or challenges around savings and contributing to retirement.

Take it a step further and set up 401(k) auto-enrollment so employees are set up to succeed from the start.

4. Bring in experts to cover the basics

Small meetings and lunch discussions are great, but advice from a financial expert or credentialed professional can change lives.

Bring in experts to hold informal workshops to go over the basics of savings, 401(k) plans, investing and more. As much as you support your employees’ financial well-being, you can’t expect them to know all that their benefits offer.

Break it down through smaller sessions with an unbiased expert taking the lead. Whether it’s budgeting or eliminating debt, ongoing financial workshops will help your employees reach their financial goals.

5. Focus on stress management

Stress appears in many different forms — problems at home, relationship issues, pressure at work – and money. Financial counselors and stress management resources are an easy way to teach stress management skills that will ultimately benefit your employees’ financial health.

With the right skills and proper support, employees have the opportunity to learn from their past financial mistakes and tackle money concerns in a strategic and thoughtful way.

Let’s face it — life is stressful. And there’s no easy fix. As much as you might want to, you can’t give everyone a raise to reduce financial stress and even if you could, financial worries don’t vanish when wallets fatten.

Help your employees address financial concerns with positive behavioral approaches that teach and encourage financial well-being.

They’ll feel more prepared to give you their best – and to feel more confident in today’s ever-changing political and economic landscape.

Henry Albrecht is CEO of Limeade, an employee experience software company.