Cultivating a Financially Savvy Workforce: Why Smart Employers Are Turning to Financial Wellness Programs Amid Rising Costs

Shay Cook
Aug 5
3 min read

By Mrs. Shay Cook, CEO & Founder of Crusaders for Change, LLC (C4C) Accredited Financial Counselor® & Financial Fitness Coach®

In 2025, U.S. businesses face a new reality: the cost of doing business is going up—fast. Inflation, more expensive energy bills, a disrupted supply chain, and new tax rules are cited as some of the most pressing concerns for small businesses right now. Wages are rising, turnover is expensive, and the pressure to offer competitive benefits has never been greater. To attract and retain top talent, it's no longer enough to just offer a paycheck and a 401(k). Today’s workforce wants—and expects—real support in navigating financial uncertainty.

One solution that forward-thinking employers are adopting? Employer-sponsored financial education.

Why Financial Literacy Matters More Now Than Ever

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, wages and benefits have seen consistent increases year over year. Meanwhile, inflation, supply chain disruptions, and increasing employee expectations are squeezing profit margins across industries.

On top of this, recent studies show that half of American workers report living paycheck to paycheck—including many earning six-figure salaries. Employees are withdrawing early from retirement accounts, carrying mounting debt, and struggling with financial anxiety that impacts their focus and productivity on the job.

Employers are left footing the bill—not just in increased wages, but in lost productivity, rising absenteeism, disengagement, and costly turnover. Lost productivity costs US Companies $605 billion per year!

So, how do you control costs while still supporting your workforce?

You invest in financial literacy.

The ROI of Financial Wellness in the Workplace

Financial wellness programs don’t just feel good—they deliver measurable business returns:

Boost retention: When employees feel financially secure, they’re less likely to job-hop for marginal raises elsewhere.
Improve productivity: Financially stressed employees are distracted. Reducing their money stress frees up mental space for focused, effective work.
Reduce absenteeism: Emergency expenses lead to missed work. Emergency savings and smart money habits give employees more stability.
Enhance your benefits package: Competing for top talent? Financial education programs signal that you care about long-term employee well-being—not just the bottom line.

In fact, a PwC study found that 73% of financially stressed employees are more attracted to employers who care about their financial well-being.

What a Financial Wellness Program Can Include

A comprehensive, cost-effective financial wellness program isn’t one-size-fits-all. At Crusaders for Change® (C4C), we partner with businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies to build customized, engaging financial wellness programs for your team.

Popular offerings include:

On-demand financial literacy
One-on-one counseling with Accredited Financial Counselors (AFC®)
Emergency savings tools and guided savings challenges
Debt reduction and credit score improvement planning
Retirement readiness and 401(k) education
Confidential support with budgeting and money management

These are real tools that solve real problems—for your employees and for your business.

Rising Costs Demand Smarter Solutions for Small Business

As salaries rise and operational costs grow, offering “more money” isn’t always feasible—or enough. Employers need smarter, more sustainable ways to support their teams and retain talent.

Financial education is a high-impact, low-cost benefit that can transform your workforce from financially fragile to financially empowered. It builds loyalty, reduces stress, and creates a culture of trust and care, while protecting your company’s bottom line.