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Brexit and ‘zero hours’ contracts undermining financial wellbeing

Almost half of workers are borrowing to meet day-to-day financial needs. A quarter of workers have a monthly income fluctuation of more than 10 percent. 39 percent of employers think employees would approach them for financial assistance/only 3 percent* of employees would turn to them for help.

Almost half of workers are borrowing to meet day-to-day financial needs. A quarter of workers have a monthly income fluctuation of more than 10 percent. 39 percent of employers think employees would approach them for financial assistance/only 3 percent* of employees would turn to them for help.

A nationwide study of the financial wellbeing of UK workers ‘The DNA of Financial Wellbeing 2017’ report1, shows that employee financial confidence has fallen over the last 12 months, with Brexit named as a major factor. The survey highlighted that 35 percent have changed their view on their finances in general following the UK’s decision to leave the EU, while one third (33 percent) of employees cite finance as their biggest concern. The findings from Neyber, the financial wellbeing company, also found that 48 percent of workers are borrowing money to meet their basic financial needs. This rises to two thirds (67 percent) of workers under 34 years.

It is likely that an increase in so-called zero hour contracts means that a quarter of UK workers have an income fluctuation of more than 10 percent each month, increasing to 45 percent for those aged 18-24. This significantly undermines people’s ability to manage, budget, plan and save on a day-to-day basis. Moreover, this fluctuation in income is contributing to financial exclusion due to an inability to access cost effective financial products. Indeed, one quarter of employers felt their employees would be considered financially excluded2.The report also highlights a divergence between employer engagement around financial wellbeing and the wishes and needs of their workers. For instance: 24 percent of employers feel that employees would turn to their manager for support if they were worried about money and 15 percent would talk to their HR team. The reality is different, only three percent* of employees would turn to their employer if they had money worries. While they feel uncomfortable about approaching their employer, they are looking to employers to offer support and guidance (42 percent).

Two fifths (39 percent) of workers think that their employer fails to communicate anything to do with financial support. This contrasts with 56 percent of businesses which would rank themselves highly in this area. Twenty two percent of employers say that improving their benefits package was a top priority. The impacts of poor financial wellbeing are striking for business – 54 percent of employers say it impacts on employee behaviour, 56 percent on job performance, 54 percent on relationships at work and 51 percent say it impacts relationships with management. Heidi Allan, Head of Insights and Engagement at Neyber, said: “A lack of longer-term financial resilience built into UK households, along with fluctuating earnings leaves a large portion of the UK population poorly prepared for the future. Unfortunately, it means they are also ill-prepared for day-to-day changes such as rises in essential spending like utilities.

“Employers are seeing the affects on their employees, with 40 percent believing financial concerns are causing employee stress and nearly one quarter (23 percent) believing their employees are losing sleep because of money worries. “A positive shown in this year’s report is the increase in awareness within the employer community – their next step is to take action to help employees improve their own personal outcomes for the good of both audiences.”

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