PepsiCo has teamed up with a financial education provider to help its 280,000 employees across 59 countries manage financial stress and improve their financial literacy.

The initiative, called “Healthy Money”, comes at a time when economic uncertainty, inflation and the cost of living crisis are impacting households worldwide. The soft drinks giant’s decision to invest in financial education underscores the growing recognition that financial stress can lead to a host of health and productivity issues within the workplace.

A Global, Localised Approach

The Healthy Money programme, developed in collaboration with financial educator nudge, offers employees personalised financial education tailored to their local contexts. This strategy aims to ensure that the financial advice provided is relevant and practical, taking into account regional economic conditions and cultural nuances.

The programme is accessible through a dedicated online portal, with content available in multiple languages, including Spanish for US-based employees. Frontline workers can easily access the portal using QR codes, ensuring that even those not regularly at desks can benefit from the initiative.

Early Successes and Employee Engagement

Since its launch in October 2023, the programme has shown promising results:

  • 280,000 employees in 59 countries now have access to the financial education resources.
  • 94% of PepsiCo’s workforce is currently engaged, with a projection to reach 98% by mid-2025.
  • 77% of participants have interacted with the nudge platform more than three times.
  • 26% of employees who participated in the National 401(k) Day reward initiative made changes to their deferral percentages.

The figures suggest that the programme is not only reaching a wide audience but also encouraging behavioural changes, a key indicator of its impact.

Insight on Financial Wellbeing in the Workplace

Tim Perkins, co-founder and CEO of nudge, highlighted the importance of such initiatives in the modern workplace. “As we continue to witness a growing need for improved financial literacy driven by external factors such as inflation and economic uncertainty, businesses must recognise the significant impact that poor financial wellbeing can have on their employees.”

Perkins pointed out that while implementing such a programme globally might seem daunting, it is achievable and essential for organisations committed to supporting their workforce. He added, “We hope this story of how PepsiCo prioritised the financial wellbeing of their people inspires other global organisations, highlighting how personalised, localised solutions can drive meaningful change and improve employee wellbeing.”

Looking Ahead: Expanding the Reach

PepsiCo’s commitment to financial wellbeing is part of a broader strategy to enhance overall employee welfare. The company has a history of implementing holistic wellbeing programmes, including its Healthy Living initiative, which covers physical and mental health.

The success of the Healthy Money programme may set a precedent for other companies to follow, as financial education becomes an increasingly crucial component of employee support frameworks. With plans to expand access and continue refining the programme’s localised content, PepsiCo is positioning itself as a leader in fostering financial resilience among its employees.

The rollout of financial wellbeing programmes like PepsiCo’s could signal a shift in how companies approach employee support, especially in challenging economic times. As organisations recognise the intertwined nature of financial health and overall productivity, initiatives like Healthy Money may become standard practice, reshaping the future of workplace wellbeing.