Two thirds of employees who are struggling financially report at least one sign of poor mental health that could affect their ability to function at work. These include loss of sleep, poor concentration and reduced motivation. Employers can support both the financial and emotional wellbeing of their workforce, as well as their productivity by creating a culture of support, education and signposting to resources that build financial resilience and access to trusted advice and information

Worry about paying bills, debt and the risk of debt is likely to impact on mental health. Financial distress and related mental health problems can have a significant effect on individuals and their capacity to function well and impact negatively on their work productivity. Financial concerns can prevent individuals from performing their best at work.

When employees are struggling financially, this can result in low productivity, poor morale, resignation, resentment and mental health issues including:
  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Presenteeism, being at work but not performing to usual standards
Symptoms may also develop into physical health issues including:
  • Muscle pain (especially back and neck)
  • Stomach upsets
  • Headaches
  • High blood pressure
  • Weakened immune system

These can lead to absence and burnout.

Financial wellbeing is intrinsically linked to all aspects of health and wellbeing, please see our Mental health and wellbeing and Physical health and wellbeing pages for more information and signposts to support.

To support your staff consider these actions:
  • Creating a culture where it is ok to seek support and encouraging open discussion about financial issues
  • Knowing where to signpost employees to access good and trusted advice and communicating signposting to financial guidance, education and support through a range of channels regularly, to help reach all who need them
  • Recognising that financial stress is usually a temporary state requiring support, rather than a negative sign about an employee’s character
  • Considering the range of individual and contextual factors that could affect financial wellbeing means that some people, or people at certain life stages, are likely to be in more need of support than others
Investing in employee wellbeing increases productivity by:
  • Improving employee health
  • Reducing the number of sickness absences
  • Reducing staff turnover and increasing retention of skills
  • Improving staff morale
  • Reducing recruitment and training costs
  • Improving company reputation as a ‘good employer’
  • Improving financial performance and competitiveness
Making the most of your money and pensions – Free money guidance services

Paul Fox, Regional Partnership Manager – South West, Money & Pensions Service, explains how businesses can access support to develop a financial wellbeing offer to their employees, signposting to free, independent and impartial money and pensions. Watch the video here Financial wellbeing for Wiltshire employers and employees and to access free support visit the Money Helper website

For free, confidential and independent guidance advice on dealing with debt problems visit Debt advice.gov.uk  and you can also use the Money Helper website to find more free debt advice services.

Support

Always suggest a person contacts their GP if they have any concerns regarding their health

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Resources

  • MECC Link – is an online signposting tool available to everyone in B&NES, Swindon and Wiltshire to help find out where support can be accessed for health and wellbeing
  • Federation of small businesses (fsb) – access a free library of resources written by industry experts. From employment law to digital marketing, find advice and support to help you run your business
  • NHS How to cope with money worries – how to survive financial stress, advice from the NHS
  • Warm and Safe Wiltshire​​​​​​​ – includes an energy advice line and access to grants and subsidies to introduce cost-effective energy saving measures
  • Interactive Community Directory – find out where local warm spaces and community food providers are in the county
  • Centre for Sustainable Energy – home energy advice
  • Breathing Space – Government backed scheme allowing individuals time to access debt advice to help relieve the stress caused by debt
  • The free Midlife MOT website – encourages people to review their skills and brings together trusted services to help you start thinking about your work, health and money with future planning in mind
  • Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) and MoneyHelper – provide impartial money and pensions guidance, backed by government, the Money navigator tool offers guidance based upon individual circumstances and help to find support in your area
  • Mental Health and Money Advice – practical advice and support for people experiencing issues with mental health and money
  • National Debtline – contains a digital advice tool and cost of living hub
  • Turn2us – is a national charity providing practical help to people who are struggling financially. The site includes a Benefits Calculator which will tell you which means-tested benefits you may be entitled to, including tax credits and the Grants Search can help you look for funds that might be able to give you a grant or other types of help.
  • I’m worried about debt and Help in a crisis – information, support and guidance from Wiltshire Council if you are struggling with debt and how to apply for local welfare provision, short term help for people in crisis
  • StepChange – is a debt charity offering free advice and support
  • Healthy Start – help to buy fruit, vegetables and milk. The Healthy Start pre-paid card can be used to spend on healthy foods and to receive free vitamins for those who are on a low income, pregnant or have a child under the age of four
  • Free Mental Health and Debt Guide – MSE (moneysavingexpert.com) – a free booklet supported by Mind, Rethink, CAP UK and others, for people with mental health problems and those caring for them
  • UK Business Climate Hub – access advice and support to reduce your energy bills and cut carbon emissions. The UK Business Climate Hub is a collaboration between the UK Government, businesses and business groups across the UK
  • Wiltshire Together – a free community platform that connects people, charities, community groups and organisations in Wiltshire to their community. You can search for local events, volunteering opportunities, and nearby support

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Toolkits

  • Mental Health and Money Advice: Mental Health and Money Toolkit  – is designed to help you understand, manage and improve your mental and financial health. This practical guide can be used to shape important  conversations with your healthcare worker and to help break the vicious cycle between money and mental health.

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Learning and Development

  • MSE’s Academy of Money – OpenLearn – free money management courses to provide the skills and knowledge to master your finances
  • The CAP Money Course – the CAP Money Course is a free course that will teach you budgeting skills and a simple system to successfully manage your money
  • Making Every Contact Count (MECC) is about making the most of every opportunity you have with the people you come into contact with. MECC is a reflective skills-based free training opportunity that encourages a different way of interacting to address health and wellbeing issues. Course and booking information can be found at MECC-training-dates-2025-July-Nov-002.jpg
  • Wiltshire Training – provided by Wiltshire Council offers a wide variety of workplace health courses designed to meet your needs with bespoke training programmes also available. View the Wiltshire Training brochure
  • Workplace Wellbeing – Wiltshire Wildlife Trust – offer workplace wellbeing workshops to support a happier, healthier and more productive workforce, whatever the size of your business

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