Balancing Act: The Unseen Financial Toll of Caregiving  In today’s fast-paced world, many employees are facing an unexpected and often overwhelming challenge: caregiving for loved ones. Whether it’s tending to aging parents or aiding family members with disabilities, the responsibilities of caregiving can take a significant toll on one’s financial, emotional, and physical well-being. For the 53 million Americans providing unpaid care, having to juggle caregiving...

The Hidden Cost of Employee Financial Stress in your Organization In today’s competitive corporate environment, optimizing employee productivity is a key challenge for employers. Even with 66% of employees stating their personal finances are negatively affecting their work and personal life, the impact of financial stress on workplace performance can at times, be overlooked. Financial concerns can severely derail employees’ productivity. As an organization, it is vital to recognize...

The Power of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and How it Impacts Financial Well-being In today’s economic landscape, working Americans face an alarming financial crisis. While this crisis affects individuals from all walks of life, it disproportionately impacts individuals in specific DEI groups including BIPOC, women, as well as those of disability and LGBTQIA+ status. With these DEI groups facing specific financial challenges, there is a call to employers to create a path toward lasting...

Employees are Losing More than Sleep over their Personal Finances May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to foster understanding and support for mental health issues. While mental health is influenced by various factors, one area that often is overlooked is the impact of personal finances. According to a recent Bankrate survey, more than half of Americans believe finances have had a negative effect on their mental health, up significantly from 42% last year. With inflation reaching...

Annual Report Illustrates the Financial Crisis of the Working American Many working Americans are at a crisis point when it comes to their personal finances. With inflation reaching historic highs throughout 2022, the rising costs of everyday expenses has made it difficult, if not impossible, for workers to build their savings and avoid going into high-cost debt. Workers continue to face the high cost of necessities including food, up 7.7% over last year and shelter, up 8.1% over last year....

Why should employers care about employee financial wellness, and how can the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 legislation help increase the financial stability of America’s workforce? In brief. Recently enacted Federal legislation seeks to increase the financial stability of the American workforce, directly addressing the governing dynamics that prevent broader adoption of retirement plans and emergency savings accounts through an array of new benefits for both employers and their employees. The Secure...

It isn’t all about the packages, boxes or bags My brother Dan and stepfather have bonded over the years over a shared love of fishing. Each summer, my brother returns home to the Wisconsin lakes from California for a week of fishing, with a goal of hooking that prized musky. While our family has caught some nice size fish, including muskies, there’s always that one ‘that got away’ swimming in the depths, albeit taunting them. Our large, blended family gets together each holiday season. Normally,...

As an HR manager, business owner, or financial decision-maker, you probably avoid prying into employees’ personal lives. However, financial stress can consume your employees’ energy, making them less productive at work. That can lead to health problems, sick days, and other problems that affect your business. How can you turn this losing proposition into a win-win? Financial coaching can help bring peace of mind back to your employees by giving them tools to help them with major financial life...

Financial Literacy Month is observed each April. As we turn our attention to financial literacy, it is important to consider how critical relevant financial education is to employees during a time of rising inflation.  Many Americans weren’t privy to an education grounded in the basics:  Budgeting and smart spending Establishing emergency savings  Responsible use of credit Planning for and investing in the future These key pillars of financial health are all critical elements to helping an individual...

Financial wellness involves and achieves independence. No matter how much one works and earns as income, being tied down by debt and commitments provides no real freedom. Financial wellness works the same way as wellness for the body; when everything is working correctly, and there are no concerns, a person is healthy. When vulnerabilities, leverage, debt, and financial stress cause losses and struggles, the body becomes sick and can’t perform as well. Most people in the U.S. today are not...