FinFit Finds Financial Stress Has Increased Absenteeism, Decreased Productivity
The survey, from FinFit, LLC, a provider of financial wellness solutions, asked business owners and professionals for their views on the financial challenges faced by employees at their companies and the impact with regard to on-the-job performance. Highlights of the results include:
• 71 percent of survey respondents said that due to a difficult economy, significantly more employees at their companies are living paycheck-to-paycheck.
• 86 percent of respondents said financial stress among employees led to absenteeism, decreased productivity, and increased distraction in the past year.
• 78 percent of respondents said their companies do not currently offer any type of lending program to assist staff when they encounter emergencies. Nearly half believe a program offering financial education and support in the workplace would enable employees to be more productive.
• 79 percent of respondents cited emergency healthcare costs as the top reason behind why companies should provide loans to employees.
• 69 percent believe employees at their companies would want to participate in a program that would help them pay for healthcare coverage premiums, deductibles, and co-payments, if it were offered.
“Even if you’re making a decent salary, it is difficult to concentrate on work when you’re worrying about how to pay this month’s bills, or to find the money to cover a health emergency, a necessary car repair so you can travel to work, or an educational expense for a child,” David Kilby, president of FinFit, said. “We are seeing more employers recognizing that this is a real issue and as a result, starting to think about possible solutions.”