Financial education and wellbeing

A quarter of people in the UK are suffering with money problems so substantial that it is affecting their ability to do their job, according to a new survey carried out by CIPD and Close Brothers Asset Management of more than 1,800 UK employees. The number reporting problems rises to a nearly a third (31 per cent) among 18-24 year olds, and those living in London (32 per cent).
Financial wellbeing is a shared responsibility between the employer and employee.
Healthy financial wellbeing can be defined as:
'how much your financial situation and money choices provide you with security and freedom of choice.'
Financial wellbeing is now more important than ever. As the cost-of-living crisis continues, it is having a detrimental impact for some of our NHS staff. This has led to NHS organisations reviewing their current employment packages to support their staff's financial wellbeing, as ensuring that a comprehensive employment package is offered to staff will contribute to retaining valuable talent and help make you an attractive employer for new recruits.
Advice and recommendations for employers
- One common misconception around financial wellbeing is that it isn’t the employer’s responsibility, it’s down to the individual. However, the reality is that financial wellbeing is a shared responsibility between the employer and employee.
- To support employers, we have created an area on our website called the cost of living and good employment, which brings together important resources, examples of good practice and practical examples of what organisations in the NHS are doing now.
- Our developing a financial wellbeing strategy guide supports you to establish the foundations you need to develop a robust approach to support your staff with financial wellbeing in the workplace. It includes a four-step approach which means you can start your journey at whichever point is relevant to your organisation.
Emerging practice and case studies
Further tools and resources
- View our financial wellbeing infographic, that looks at what being financially healthy looks like and some of the myths and realities of financial wellbeing.
- Read the full report on financial wellbeing, that was launched in August 2020 and highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified inequalities across society and exacerbated financial worries, particularly among women, young people, Black and minority ethnic groups, and people with disabilities.
- Visit the CIPD in-work poverty web pages for further information.
- Find out how to support our NHS people experiencing stress:
- The Claro Mental Health Project Report looks into the link between money and mental wellbeing.
- Work foundation employer briefing looks at financial wellbeing during the cost of living crisis.