Can financial education reduce stress at work?

Money worries are one of the biggest drivers of stress in the workplace. 

A recent report highlighted that 61% of employees say they are constantly stressed about money , and that stress directly affects productivity, attendance, and even safety.

In high-stress industries like healthcare, retail, and logistics, financial stress compounds the pressure. Workers distracted by financial concerns are more likely to make mistakes, call in sick, or start looking for another job. For employers, the costs are significant, from turnover to lost productivity.

The research also shows that financial wellness programs work . Even modest interventions, such as helping employees build emergency savings or giving them tools to understand money, can dramatically reduce stress and improve performance.

START WELL: Building Financial Confidence for Life

At The Wealth Designers, we believe financial literacy is a foundation for wellbeing. That is why we created START WELL® , our financial education program for the next generation.

Delivered through schools, workplaces, and directly to families, START WELL® makes money simple and practical. The program covers everyday financial decisions, from budgeting to saving, and equips young people with the confidence to navigate their financial futures.

The research confirms what we see in practice: when people feel in control of their money, their stress goes down, their performance goes up, and their future looks brighter.

Why This Matters for Employers

Workplace stress is costly. But investing in financial education is one of the most effective and affordable ways to support employees. By empowering staff with money skills, you not only improve wellbeing but also strengthen performance, loyalty, and resilience.

That is the vision behind START WELL®: helping people build lifelong habits so that financial stress does not hold them back.

Explore more about our START WELL® program.