Medical Articles & News

How Financial Stress Affects Worker Productivity

Written by Christopher Wolfington | August 30, 2023

In today's society, where health is wealth, medical debt proves to be a double-edged sword. On one hand, people need medical care to stay healthy and productive, but on the other, the cost of that care can lead to financial stress and decreased productivity at work. In fact, nearly 66.5% of all bankruptcies can be tied to medical issues, either from high costs for care or time out of work. As an employer, it's crucial to understand how financial stress affects worker productivity and what you can do to manage it.

FinPay offers solutions for employers that can help manage employee medical debt and provide valuable financial education. Our suite of services is tailored to meet the needs of employers, including packages that provide financial education tools like high-risk employee intervention and consumer loans for medical debt. With FinPay, employers can reduce stress on their workforce and improve retention rates. Learn more by emailing info@finpay.com today.

The Importance of Returning to Work

Work plays a vital role in an individual's recovery from medical procedures. Returning to work promotes healing by providing a sense of normalcy and routine. It also helps individuals regain their financial stability, which can alleviate some of the stress associated with medical debt.

However, returning to work after a medical procedure isn't always easy. Many people face physical and emotional challenges that can make it difficult to seamlessly transition back into their work routines. This is further complicated when financial stress is added to the mix, creating a domino effect that could potentially affect their overall work performance. Understanding how financial stress affects worker productivity is your responsibility, but FinPay can help.

Recognize When Financial Stress Is Affecting Work

Medical debt can have serious implications for employee productivity. The financial stress associated with medical bills can lead to anxiety and depression, which in turn can impact employees' ability to focus, their energy levels, and their overall job performance.

For instance, an employee dealing with medical debt might experience sleepless nights worrying about how they're going to pay their bills. This lack of rest can then translate into fatigue at work, making it difficult for them to concentrate and complete tasks efficiently. Additionally, constant worry and stress can also lead to mental health issues like anxiety and depression, further impacting their productivity.

How Employers Can Help

As an employer, there are several ways you can help your employees navigate the murky waters of medical debt and mitigate its impact on productivity.

Review Health Benefits

Take a close look at the health benefits you offer to your employees. Are there ways you can provide more comprehensive coverage or reduce out-of-pocket costs? By offering robust health benefits, you can help protect your employees from crippling medical debt.

Offer Financial Education

Provide resources to help your employees better manage their finances. This could include workshops on budgeting, information about negotiating medical bills, or resources on how to deal with medical debt. FinPay offers solutions for employers that provide seamless interventions for high-risk employee financial education.

Support Employee Wellness

Implement wellness programs that encourage preventative care. This could include anything from gym memberships to mental health resources. By promoting overall health, you can help prevent serious medical issues—and the debt that comes with them.

Understand How Financial Stress Is Affecting Worker Productivity with FinPay

As an employer, you play a significant role in helping your employees manage medical debt and maintain their productivity. By understanding the implications of medical debt and taking proactive steps to support your employees, you can create a healthier, happier, and more productive workforce.

In addition to the financial education tools we provide employees, we can also help you identify and segment high-risk employees. When you know how your employees are using their benefits, you can help reduce out-of-pocket costs through personalized financial wellness plans. Learn more by emailing info@finpay.com.