Financial wellbeing and the cost of living squeeze
Authored by Aviva
Laura Findlay from our HR proposition partner IHRS (part of the UKGI Group) examines the impact of increases in the cost of living and financial wellbeing:
“In February, the cost of living was the highest it’s been in 20 years. So what is the impact on employee and employer wellbeing?
Many considerations need to be made in the current economic climate, and firms face the challenge of ensuring they make employee financial wellbeing a top focus while at the same time ensuring their businesses remain profitable during these uncertain times.
What is financial wellbeing?
Financial wellbeing refers to an individual feeling confident and in control of their current and future financial situation. As a result, employees can manage resources to live within their means, make informed financial decisions and investments, set realistic goals, and prepare for short-term and long-term needs or emergencies.
Research shows that the cost of living is having a negative impact on employee engagement. For example, in a survey by Space HR, 57% of the panel questioned felt that employers should be concerned about the impact of the cost of living on employees, and 27% of contributors said that employers should be ‘very concerned’.
Finances play a critical role in employees’ lives, and not having enough financial security can increase stress and anxiety, impacting employee health and resulting in poor performance at work or absenteeism.
It was reported by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) in March 2021 that half of the employers do not have a financial wellbeing policy, despite the financial impact of Covid-19 and the ever-increasing cost of living.
A financial wellbeing policy should be key in any business’ approach to wellbeing. Even where finances may be restricted, it is important to have a policy that shows employees you are supportive and sensitive to the pressures of the increased cost of living.
The CIPD recommends that a financial wellbeing policy should include:
Signposting to financial wellbeing advice, such as the resources available from the Money and Pensions ServiceTargeted financial education support at key moments in working lives, such as ahead of maternity leave, adoption leave, shared parental leave and retirementRevising benefits packages to include finance-friendly initiatives, like giving employees the option to choose how often they are paidImplementing flexible working policies so employees with caring responsibilities can balance working enough hours to pay their bills comfortablyGiving employees security over their hours and helping them progress into higher-paid rolesCommitment, where possible, to paying all employees at least the Real Living Wage
Reducing the impact
As part of the study by Space HR, 73% of respondents believed organisations should prioritise steps to reduce the impact of the increase in the cost of living. Furthermore, the panel discussed which factors they thought would be likely to increase due to the increase in the cost of living.
The top three answers were:
Salary costsAbsence issues/mental health concerns of employeesResignations and employee turnover
The fallout of the cost of living for businesses
The cost of living crisis also impacts highly on businesses. Three-quarters of SMEs have reported that the increased cost of living will be the biggest threat to their business over the next year.
Research from the Guardian shows that 51% of SME owners are concerned that rising prices will dent consumer spending, in response to Barclays’ SME Barometer quarterly survey.
To tackle the increased cost of living and the impact on their businesses, many business owners are working weekends and going six months or more without taking much needed holidays. Furthermore, 48% of SME owners admit they do not have an emergency fund to manage unexpected costs.
How costly is financial stress?
According to recent research from Ernst & Young, seven in ten people in the UK and the US experience financial stress regularly. Financial stress is costly not only for individuals but also for their employers, as a result of lost productivity. Employees who are experiencing financial stress may find it harder to focus on work and may take time off work due to their stress. The research also found that 20% of employee turnover is attributable to financial stress.
Far-reaching impact
It has been widely reported that low-income families will be hardest hit by the increase in the cost of food and utilities. However, The Telegraph newspaper reported that middle-income families would lose £4,600 in increased costs, including housing, transportation, health care, and taxes in the next year.
Cost of living expenses vary from person to person, taking into account factors such as family size and lifestyle. Employers should consider these factors, particularly if everyday costs increases have a significant long term knock-on effect on their employees’ financial wellbeing.
How do firms address financial stress and the increased cost of living?
Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) are a useful option for many businesses. They provide employees with support in various areas such as mortgage advice, debt management, financial planning and more.
In addition, employers should also be open and transparent when it comes to the pay review process. Sometimes the review won’t lead to a pay rise and, in these circumstances, this must be communicated and it should be shown that some thought has gone into looking at salaries and considering whether a pay rise could be applied.
HR expertise is capable of helping companies to understand whether there is scope in the business to offer other options as part of a wider benefits offering. For example, interest-free loans for buying season tickets for travel or making tax savings through salary sacrifice schemes.”
