The report shows that, although some employers are making a much-valued difference to the financial wellbeing of their workforces, others are falling short of employees’ expectations. One in four employees say money worries impact their ability to do their job; with the cost of living soaring in the UK, it's likely that more and more people will experience poor financial wellbeing and face impossible decisions about money. In the worst cases, they may not be able to heat their homes, pay rent, or buy essentials. Employers and practitioners, alongside policymakers, will need to take urgent action to ensure they support workers’ financial wellbeing and that in-work poverty does not become more widely entrenched.

While these findings are based on UK data, the broader trends and implications should be of interest wherever you are based.

The report captures:

• The types of benefits employers provide, and who’s receiving them.
• The changes – if any – employers are planning for 2022.
• How the benefits landscape has evolved since we last explored this topic in 2018.
• The impact of the pandemic – and skills and labour shortages – on the benefits package.
• Employer attitudes and responses to financial wellbeing and in-work poverty.
• The state of employees’ financial wellbeing through their own eyes.
• The support employees are receiving from their organisations.
• Employees’ thoughts on their benefits package.

Research findings

We’ve grouped the report into five relevant sections. Click on the appropriate theme to download that particular section of the report, or download the report in full: 

1. Career and wellbeing benefits
2. Financial wellbeing and organisational support
3. Social, family and technology benefits
4. In-work poverty and financial support
5. Benefits, homeworking and recruitment

What difference does a financial wellbeing policy make?

Our survey shows that employees whose workplaces have a financial wellbeing policy are more likely to agree that their job protects them from poverty and that they feel in control of their finances. They also tend to be satisfied with their employee benefits package, know what they need to do to get a pay rise, and feel comfortable asking their employer for help with financial problems.

However, only 20% of employees say their employer actually has a financial wellbeing policy, and the same proportion believe their employer isn’t doing enough to support them in this area (this rises to one in four among low-paid workers). Those in most need of support are least likely to be covered by a policy, with 86% saying their employer's never asked them about their financial wellbeing.

Employers who feel their employees won’t welcome their support may be surprised to find that 65% of employees say it’s important their future employer has a financial wellbeing policy in place. This rises to 81% of those whose employer already has a policy - showing that people are reluctant to give up this benefit once they've received it. This should be food for thought in today’s tight labour market.