During Financial Literacy Month, employers have the chance to lean in and provide clear communication, education, and tools to empower employees to make confident financial decisions, no matter the market climate.

1. Prioritize regular, accessible communication

When the economy feels uncertain, employees aren’t just looking for a pep talk, they want clear, practical guidance. Our survey found that 64% of employees want more proactive communication and education from their employers around benefits and financial wellness​.

To meet this need, employers can share timely updates about the market via email, host live webinars with financial professionals, or send out quick, easy-to-follow explainers through their company’s preferred communication channels.

It’s just as important for employers to use these moments to remind teams of the benefits already available to them. HR benefits teams can share details about how employees can update their 401(k) contributions, revisit their investment allocations, or access learning tools that help them stay in control of their financial journey.

And be sure to share information more than once and in a variety of formats to ensure it reaches everyone. The key is making financial guidance easy to access, understand, and act on, especially when people are feeling overwhelmed.

2. Offer access to personalized financial advice

Even workers who usually feel confident managing their money may start to second-guess themselves during market downturns. Having someone to talk to, whether it’s a financial advisor or retirement specialist, can make all the difference in helping them stay grounded and make smart decisions.

Yet according to Betterment’s report, only 17% of employees currently have access to a live financial advisor through their workplace​. This is a clear gap that employers can help close.

Offering access to financial professionals doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. It could mean partnering with a third-party provider, like a 401(k) record keeper, to offer one-on-one coaching sessions, hosting office hours with a financial planner, or scheduling Q&A events where employees can ask questions in a low-pressure environment. Group workshops are also a great option, especially when tailored to different life stages, like early-career employees, mid-career savers, or those nearing retirement.

These touchpoints give employees peace of mind, a greater sense of control, and the tools to make informed decisions about their finances.

3. Invest in digital tools that build good habits

Let’s face it, most of us manage our finances on our phones, in between meetings or while waiting in line for coffee. And while live sessions and advisor access are powerful, it’s everyday touchpoints that often shape how engaged employees are with their financial goals. That’s why easy-to-use digital tools play a critical role in supporting consistent, healthy financial behaviors.

However, a report shows that only 16% of employees currently access their 401(k) through a mobile app, but 57% say they’d be more likely to engage regularly if they could​. That’s a clear opportunity for employers to leverage digital-first tools that help employees access and engage with their financial resources more effectively.

Related: 5 ways employers can contribute to their employees’ health and financial wellbeing

Look for tools that offer interactive retirement calculators, budgeting support, goal tracking, and educational content that’s engaging and easy to understand. Platforms with gamified features or nudges, like savings challenges or reminders, can help employees build habits without feeling overwhelmed. For example, 24% of workers say they’ve participated in a social media savings challenge, and 74% found it helpful​.

That said, thoughtful curation is key. A recent GAO report cautioned that some apps, especially those popular with younger generations, can blur the lines between investing and gambling. Choose platforms that promote informed, responsible decision-making and are designed to educate, not sensationalize.

Financial stress doesn’t stay at home. It follows employees to work. And with so many people feeling the effects of market volatility, the role of the employer continues to evolve. And Financial Literacy Month provides an opportunity for employers to ask themselves: Are we doing enough to help our team feel financially confident?

Because in times of volatility, it’s not the headlines that shape employees’ resilience, it’s the support and guidance an employer provides. Employees are looking to their employer for support and what an employer puts in place today can shape how confident and how committed workers feel tomorrow.