Almost half of UK workers say they would consider leaving their job for an employer offering stronger financial support, according to a major new report that lays bare the deepening toll of money worries on workforce morale, focus and retention.
The study, conducted by financial wellbeing platform Wagestream, surveyed 4,000 employees across the UK and US and found that 48% of UK workers would switch employers for access to better financial wellbeing tools, including budgeting help, flexible pay options or savings schemes. Nearly a third (28%) said such support would encourage them to stay longer in their current role.
The findings reveal what observers describe as an urgent and growing disconnect between the support employees want and what employers think they are providing.
Money Worries the Top Concern at Work
The report found financial stress is now the leading concern for employees, ahead of workload or job security. In the UK, money-related anxiety has risen by 63% since 2024. Nearly half (48%) of workers worry about money at least once a week, and 14% report worrying every day.
The picture is similarly bleak in the US, where 62% of employees report weekly money worries and nearly a quarter (23%) experience them daily.
One in three UK workers has £500 or less in savings, and one in six has no savings at all, the report found. In the US, over a third have $300 or less to fall back on. The lack of financial security is affecting employees’ ability to concentrate, plan and stay motivated at work, the study said.
Unstable Pay Adds to Pressure
The rise of unpredictable income is also undermining workers’ financial stability. More than a third (36%) of workers in both countries have fluctuating monthly income. In the US, 15% report swings of 10% or more each month.
Many employees also lack any form of financial safety net, with 15% of UK respondents and 19% of US workers saying they have no one to turn to in a financial emergency. In the US, credit challenges are widespread, with 40% reporting a fair or poor credit rating, which can limit access to affordable borrowing and deepen financial exclusion.
Employers ‘Overestimate Their Impact’
While 93% of UK employers believe they offer financial wellbeing support, only one in five workers say this support actually meets their needs. In the US, 76% of employers think they provide a supportive environment, but only 39% of employees agree.
And yet workers are looking to their employers more than any other institution for help. In the UK, 46% of respondents said they trust their employer to care about their financial wellbeing. That’s more than banks (32%) or the government (20%).
This mismatch, experts say, presents an opportunity for employers to reassess how they support their staff, especially in areas with a direct link to performance and retention.
Better Financial Support Boosts Loyalty, Focus
In the UK, 28% of employees said they would be more likely to stay with an employer offering stronger financial support. And 18% said they would work harder and 20% said they would be more focused.
In the US, employees who feel financially valued are three times more likely to report high motivation, the study found.
“Our latest report shows that financial stress continues to dominate both UK and US employees, directly eroding productivity and engagement, but this is a challenge employers are perfectly placed to address,” Wagestream’s chief marketing officer, Prelini Udayan-Chiechi, said.
“The message is clear: building financial resilience isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s a powerful metric for business performance, driving productivity, retention and above all, happier teams.”
She added that financially secure staff were more focused, motivated and committed to their jobs. “With the right data, insights and strategy, organisations can turn financial wellbeing into a game-changing advantage – crucial in today’s economic climate.”
What Employees Actually Want
The report calls on employers to move beyond generic financial education and offer practical, inclusive solutions that support workers across the full spectrum of financial needs.
That includes:
- Hands-on tools, such as flexible pay access, budgeting support and money coaching
- Inclusive financial products, especially for lower-paid staff or those with fluctuating income
- Automatic savings schemes, with opt-out options similar to pensions. A total of 66% of employees surveyed want saving to be as effortless as possible
- Predictable hours and income, by adopting standards like the Living Wage Foundation’s Living Hours
With Wagestream processing over $3 million in employee payments each month, the report points to a broader shift in how employees are engaging with pay. It’s one where speed, flexibility and security matter as much as the payslip itself.