Stress Awareness Month: why financial stress at work matters, and what employers can do about it

Stress Awareness Month shines a light on the causes and effects of stress, and how we can manage it better. This year, there’s growing recognition that financial stress is one of the most persistent and overlooked pressures that people face.

Financial stress is a personal and workplace issue. It affects focus, morale, productivity, and overall wellbeing. For employers, ignoring it can be costly. But there are simple, proactive ways to support staff and create a culture where money talk isn’t taboo and people feel safe to seek support for their financial challenges.

The link between money and mental health

It’s well known that mental health and financial problems are inextricably linked. Struggling with anxiety might make it harder to manage bills or open post, and money problems can further contribute to feelings of anxiety.

According to the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute:

46% of people with problem debt also experience mental health problems.
financial worries are one of the most common reasons for poor sleep, increased anxiety, and depression.

Now think about how that translates to the workplace. When employees are lying awake at night worrying about debt, it impacts their energy, focus, and ability to cope with day-to-day pressures. Some might take time off sick. Others may try to carry on, but become withdrawn, distracted, or overwhelmed.

The cost to employers

Financial stress doesn’t just affect individuals, but businesses too.

Recent research from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) shows:

poor financial wellbeing is linked to lower productivity and performance.
28% of employees say money worries impact their ability to do their job.
employers lose millions each year due to absenteeism and presenteeism linked to financial stress.

And in the current economic climate, with the cost of living rising and many people living paycheck to paycheck, the problem is only growing.

How employers can make a difference during Atress Awareness Month

Stress Awareness Month is the perfect time to take action or kick-start new financial wellbeing initiatives. Here’s how you can start supporting your employees and build a more financially resilient workforce:

1. Open up the conversation

Create a workplace culture where it’s OK to talk about money. You don’t need to have all the answers, but simply acknowledging that financial stress is real, and that support is available, can go a long way. Many of our Money First Aiders say that employees feel better just knowing there is a specific individual and safe space they can go to if they need it.

You might want to:

share internal comms or posters encouraging people to check in on their financial wellbeing.
organise a lunch & learn or wellbeing session on managing money stress
let employees know that it’s OK to talk to HR, managers, or a Money First Aider®

2. Train Money First Aiders

Just like Mental Health First Aiders are trained to spot the signs of mental health struggles and listen non-judgmentally, Money First Aiders are trained to support people facing financial difficulties.

They’re not there to give advice or judge: just to listen, signpost to help, and normalise talking about money at work. This is particularly valuable in industries where financial stress is common but rarely discussed, such as construction, retail, or customer service.

3. Signpost to support

Make it easy for employees to access support, whether that’s:

free budgeting tools like MoneyHelper’s budget planner
debt charities like StepChange
gambling support like GamCare
your employee benefits scheme, if it includes things like financial coaching or an EAP

4. Offer practical help

Some employers go beyond signposting and offer tangible financial wellbeing benefits:

one-off cost-of-living grants or hardship funds
travel support for commuting costs
workplace savings schemes
salary advance or earned wage access

Even small measures, like reviewing expenses processes to avoid employees being out of pocket, can go a long way to reduce financial stress.

5. Equip your managers

Managers are often the first to notice if someone’s struggling, but they may not know what to say or do. Offer training or simple guidance on how to spot the signs of financial stress and how to be a source of compassionatel support.

Impactful solutions are available to address financial stress this Stress Awareness Month

As an employer, you don’t need to solve everyone’s money problems. But you can create an environment where people feel supported, not ashamed. Where conversations about money are handled with empathy. And where financial wellbeing is treated as a core part of your overall employee wellbeing strategy.

This Stress Awareness Month, commit to taking one meaningful step, like training a Money First Aider® or signposting managers to resources of free financial support that they can share with their team. A little support can go a long way.

FREE POSTER: we all face financial hardships

To help raise awareness in your workplace, we’ve created a free downloadable poster you can print and share with your team. It’s designed to normalise common money challenges and show employees they’re not alone. You can add contact details so people know who to go to in your organisation if they need to talk