Financial Awareness Day serves as a reminder of the importance of financial wellbeing in the workplace. Financial awareness isn’t just about numbers on a spreadsheet or the size of your savings account. Money has a direct impact on how you feel in your mind, in your body, and in how you show up every single day.
At Thrive Law, we are excited to partner with Carla Hoppe, founder of Wealthbrite, a financial education company helping organisations build financially confident, commercially capable talent from the ground up.
With a background in law and accounting at PwC and EY, Carla has seen first-hand how financial know-how shapes careers, opportunities, and wellbeing. Yet too many professionals, especially early in their careers, are expected to “just know” how to manage money, price work, or make smart money decisions without ever being taught how.
Carla founded Wealthbrite to close that gap. She works across the legal, professional, and public sectors to bring practical, jargon-free financial education to teams, helping individuals grow confidence, and helping organisations grow capability.
The Business Case for Financial Wellbeing
Financial wellbeing is intrinsically linked to mental health and vice versa. At Thrive Law, we know employees feel financially secure, they experience reduced stress, increased productivity, and greater job satisfaction. For employers, this translates to a more engaged and resilient workforce.
The cost to the British economy arising from poor financial literacy and health is estimated to be £20bn annually. So, when the cost is so high how can businesses take meaningful steps to support the financial wellbeing of their teams?
- Don’t make assumptions about who knows what and who needs help
Financial stress can have a profound impact on mental health and in our work at Wealthbrite we know that no sector and no income bracket of earners is immune from financial stress.
The magnitude of financial issues depending on earnings may vary but financial pressure doesn’t care about your job title or level of seniority and it can cause sleepless nights, anxiety and a lack of motivation.
Employees who are worried about their finances may struggle with focus, experience higher levels of absenteeism, and even consider leaving their roles. Clearly, at this point personal financial matters are no longer just personal – it has a direct (negative) impact on the business they work for.
Recognising the link between financial and mental health is the first step toward creating a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Break the Money Taboo with Real, Relatable Stories
People in the UK often feel a mixture of embarrassment, shame and anxiety talking about finances. In fact, research has shown we’re more likely to check our weight than our payslips and talk about our intimate relationships than how much we get paid with others.
That means a sensitive approach is needed to deal with financial wellbeing. If you haven’t tackled this topic before, consider doing a company–wide conversation starter session which will set the scene on why financial wellbeing matters to your organisation and why you’re talking about it at work with your people.
Curate a safe space culture where you encourage questions and supportive conversations about personal finances. Equip managers – often the front line when issues arise with employees – with resources they can signpost people to, who may need support dealing with money.
- Recognise the intersectionality of finance and diversity
Financial knowledge, confidence and capabilities cuts across a wide variety of personal characteristics, including gender, ethnicity, disability, neurodiversity and socioeconomic status.
While many of the diverse backgrounds or histories with which employees enter your workforce are outside of an employer’s control there are steps businesses can take to lessen the ongoing impact, level the playing field and create an inclusive environment once everyone enters the workforce.
Practical Steps for Employers to Promote Financial Wellbeing:
- Offer Financial Education: Providing workshops or resources on topics like budgeting, saving, and retirement planning can empower employees to make informed financial decisions.
- Promote Pay Transparency: Clarity in pay structures as well as in job adverts fosters trust and inclusivity, reducing stress related to financial uncertainty.
- Remind people of the financial benefits you already provide – once and done is never enough! Regular promotion of counselling services, Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) and financial hardship funds will also help limit the risk of personal financial challenges escalating out of control.
- Support Mental Health: Make financial wellbeing part of your mental health strategy, as the two are inextricably linked. Normalise talking about personal finances as part of mental health initiatives and to really bring it to life consider a storytelling campaign showcasing different financial experiences and stories from people in your team.
At Thrive Law, we are committed to helping businesses create inclusive workplaces where employees feel valued and supported. Financial awareness is about more than just money – it’s about fostering a culture of care, understanding, and empowerment.
This Financial Awareness Day, let’s work together to prioritise financial literacy and mental health in the workplace. If you’d like to learn more about how to support your organisation, please get in touch.
Find out more about Wealthbrite here: www.wealthbrite.co.uk
Follow Carla Hoppe on LinkedIn to stay connected.
