Why financial wellbeing deserves first aid too

In partnership with Heka.

When we think about first aid, we often picture physical emergencies, but what if we expanded that mindset to include financial crises too?

At Money First Aid we believe financial stress can hit just as hard and unexpectedly as a physical injury. And just like physical first aid, the right intervention at the right time can make all the difference.

That’s why we’re proud to partner with employee benefits platform Heka, on a mission to bring financial wellbeing to the forefront of workplace health.

Financial wellbeing: the unseen emergency

We’re in a sustained cost-of-living crisis. For many employees, financial stress is the emergency no one sees, but it’s affecting them every day. For employees quietly carrying a heavy load, it’s showing up in their work as burnout, distraction, absenteeism, and even turnover.

Financial wellbeing is often misunderstood. It’s not just about budgeting workshops or better money tips. It’s about real, structural support like stable pay, flexible benefits, and cultures where financial conversations are welcomed, not judged. Here’s what financial wellbeing means:

• Paying everyday expenses without anxiety

• Feeling confident in managing money

• Having a buffer for life’s curveballs

• Working toward goals

• Feeling secure enough to enjoy life, not just survive it

The power of proactive support

At Heka, we’re seeing more employers realise that financial wellbeing is no longer a “nice to have” - it’s a core part of employee health and productivity. And it starts by shifting our perspective.

You wouldn’t hand someone a first aid pamphlet during a heart attack, and we shouldn’t expect employees to fix financial stress with a budgeting app alone.

Here’s what we’ve learned about creating real impact:

1. Listen first

Hold anonymous feedback sessions. Ask your people what’s really going on. You might uncover worries about debt, housing, variable income, or family pressures.

2. Make help visible

From salary sacrifice schemes to employee assistance programmes, many employers already have helpful tools. The challenge? Most employees don’t know about them, or don’t know how to access them. Communication is everything.

3. Train money first aiders

Just like a physical first aider helps until the professionals arrive, a money first aider offers empathetic support, spots signs of financial stress, and connects people with help. They're not financial advisors, but they are a crucial lifeline. And training them is far more affordable than you might think.

4. Normalise the conversation

Use anonymised stories and leadership buy-in to destigmatise money worries. The more open the culture, the more likely people are to reach out before things spiral.

How can employers create a workplace that promotes financial wellbeing?

Employers can take proactive steps to support financial wellbeing by first creating open, judgment-free spaces where employees feel safe talking about money - because shame thrives in silence. Training internal allies, such as Money First Aiders, can help identify financial stress early and offer peer support and signposting without overstepping boundaries. It's also crucial to address the root causes of financial strain, such as inconsistent hours, low wages, or lack of affordable childcare, rather than relying on surface-level fixes. 

Employers should reframe the support they already offer - like employee assistance programmes or salary sacrifice schemes - so employees understand how these benefits directly support their financial wellbeing. Finally, equipping managers with the confidence to recognise signs of financial stress and respond with empathy (without trying to solve everything themselves) ensures a compassionate, connected culture from the top down.

How financial wellbeing impacts business success

Prioritising financial wellbeing creates a ripple effect that can benefit the entire organisation. Here’s how:

• Improved mental health: Reducing financial stress supports better mental health, leading to lower absenteeism.

• Increased productivity: Employees who aren’t distracted by money worries are more engaged, creative, and motivated.

• Increased retention: Offering meaningful financial support, like salary sacrifice schemes and budgeting tools, boosts loyalty and reduces employee turnover.

• Positive culture: Showing that you care about employees' holistic wellbeing builds trust and cultivates a positive, inclusive workplace culture.

Investing in financial wellbeing through tools like Money First Aiders, open conversations, and practical support doesn’t just help your employees. It creates a stronger, more resilient, and more human workplace.

Because when people feel safe - physically and financially - they show up fully. And that’s where real performance, creativity, and growth can happen.

Visit https://www.hekahappy.com/ or book a call with the Money First Aid team.