The Hidden Benefits of Prioritising Employee Financial Wellness

Physical and mental health usually get all the attention when we talk about employee wellbeing, butactual wellbeing is much broader! It also includes financial wellness, which is fast becoming one of the top concerns for workers worldwide.

As inflation continues to rise and the cost of living climbs, financial stress is not so quietly impacting everything from productivity to morale. In fact, the Wellhub Return on Wellness Reportfound that 66% of full-time workers say money worries distract them at work. 

Among the eight dimensions of wellbeing, which include emotional, social, financial, occupational, intellectual, spiritual, and environmental, three emerge as a top priority in employee well-being: emotional, physical, and financial wellness.

So, let’s talk about why financial wellness matters at work and how to make it easier for your team to take control of their money.

Financial Stress Is a Business Problem

With inflation rising by 19% over four years and grocery prices spiking by 25%, it’s no wonder so many workers feel financially stretched. This kind of stress doesn’t stay at home; it follows people into work, affecting focus, engagement, and long-term performance.

This is particularly true in industries like:

• Leisure, travel and tourism: where employees are often subject to irregular income patterns.
• Education: where long breaks between jobs or inconsistent cash flow make budgeting even more difficult.

In fact, 56% of employees say they spend three or more hours per week at work dealing with or thinking about personal financial issues. But, you likely won’t hear about it at the water cooler because money is such a sensitive topic and requires delicate handling.

While the first thought for fixing financial woes is to get a raise, the truth is that financial literacy is the foundation of financial control. More money doesn’t mean you know how to spend it any wiser. This can mean employees' financial burdens can get stuck in a loop despite better compensation packages.

With the right tools and knowledge, employees can stretch their income further, reduce anxiety, and make smarter decisions with what they already earn.

Financial Literacy Enhances Employee Performance

Money is deeply personal. It’s also one of the most common causes of stress and a known contributor to physical and mental health issueslike high blood pressure, heart disease, and depression. Making it a significant factor in achieving employee well-being.

By offering financial education and tools in the workplace, employers can help reduce this burden. That doesn’t just benefit the individual; it helps the whole company. Less stress means better performance, lower healthcare costs, and greater employee loyalty.

When employees understand their finances, they’re also more likely to understand and value their full compensation package, including pension plans, health insurance, and other benefits that often go underappreciated.

According to a Bank of America study, 84% of employers offering financial wellness tools reported higher employee retention. Simply because this kind of support helps people feel stable, valued, and more likely to stick around.

How Wellhub Helps Employees Budget and Save Smarter

We believe financial wellness should be as easy to access as a lunchtime workout. That’s why we partner with tools like Moneyed to help employees take control of their finances with confidence, no jargon or judgment involved.

 With Moneyed, employees can:

1. Build emergency funds
2. Track spending habits
3. Start budgeting across income cycles (ideal for those in seasonal roles)
4. Learn financial concepts through accessible, easy-to-understand content

Moneyed isn’t just about spreadsheets and savings accounts. It’s about building confidence and making financial wellbeing feel doable, even for those starting from scratch.

With Mobills, employees can:

Stay on top of their money day-to-day and plan confidently for what’s ahead. Mobills brings together everything from spending insights to credit card tracking, all in one dashboard.

Employees can:

1. Create personalised monthly budgets tailored to their lifestyle
2. Set financial goals and track progress in real time
3. Get smart reminders and helpful tips to avoid overspending
4. Manage cash flow, expenses, and credit card payments in one place
5. Sync bank and credit card accounts for a clear, up-to-date financial picture

More in-depth oversights like this give employees a clear, calm view of their finances, so they can feel more in control, reduce money stress, and start working towards what matters most to them.

Wellhub: Financial Wellness That Pays for Itself

Wellhub also helps employeesmake real savings on the things they use most, like fitness memberships, day passes, and flexible workouts that fit around their schedule.

¨The premium access to apps like Strava and Apple Fitness has been a game-changer, it's saved me so much Money!¨ -  Vicky S, Wellhub User

With Wellhub, employees can save on:

1. Gym day rates

Traditional gym day passes can be pricey, especially for those who want flexibility or prefer to work out occasionally. Wellhub gives users access to a vast network of gyms with flexible, lower-cost options, perfect for anyone who wants to pop in for a session without committing to a full membership. 

“Wellhub is fantastic, Value for money, so flexible, and I can now attend my gym or go work out with friends without having to pay silly day rates.” - John E, Wellhub User

2. Monthly memberships

Wellhub partners directly with gyms and fitness providers, allowing employees to unlock premium access at discounted rates. Many users find they can cancel their traditional memberships altogether and still go to the same gym, all while paying significantly less through Wellhub.

“Wellhub is great. I cancelled my gym membership and signed up to Wellhub, which reduced my monthly gym membership by half - I still attend the same gym that I cancelled my membership with!“ -  Thomas H, Wellhub User

3. Commuting

Wellhub’s location flexibility means employees can work out closer to home or near the office, cutting down on unnecessary travel and transport costs. Plus, with on-demand classes and a wide selection of virtual options, employees can tailor their routines to their schedules, saving both time and money.

“The platform offers incredible flexibility, allowing me to choose the time, type of activities, and even the teachers that best suit my schedule and preferences.“ -  Priya P, Wellhub User

These small shifts can greatly impact how employees feel about their overall wellbeing, especially when everything feels more expensive.

Financial Wellness Is a Major Part of Holistic Wellness

Employees don’t just want great benefits. They want to know how to make the most of them. Financial wellness isn’t about being rich; it’s about peace of mind and having strong financial literacy.

Wellhub helps employees stay active, save smarter, and stress less on their own terms. And for HR leaders, it’s a simple, meaningful way to support your workforce and improve long-term productivity.

It’s time to give financial wellness the attention it deserves. Ready to support your team’s wellbeing and ensure stress reduction? From smarter budgeting tools to active lifestyles, Wellhub helps employees take charge of their physical, mental, and financial wellness—all in one place!

Discover what Wellhub can do for your business and employees.