Understanding financial awareness is one thing. Putting it into practice is another.
For employers, supporting employee financial wellbeing means creating the conditions for people to develop their financial knowledge, build confidence and make more informed decisions. This can take different forms, depending on the needs of the workforce and the organisation’s wider wellbeing strategy.
Consider a company where employee feedback shows that financial uncertainty is becoming a growing concern. Some employees may be looking for ways to better manage their monthly finances, while others may have questions about saving, investing or planning for the future.
Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution, the company could introduce a financial wellbeing programme designed to give employees access to relevant knowledge, tools and support.
Step 1: Understanding employees’ needs
A useful starting point is understanding where employees are today.
A financial wellbeing assessment or employee survey can help identify common areas of concern and different levels of financial confidence across the workforce. This can give employers a clearer picture of the topics where financial education and support could have the greatest relevance.
It can also help ensure that financial wellbeing initiatives are based on employees’ actual needs, rather than assumptions.
Step 2: Building financial knowledge
Once key needs have been identified, employers can provide access to financial education on topics that are relevant to employees.
This could include resources or sessions covering areas such as budgeting, saving, managing debt, investing or planning for the future. The objective is not to turn employees into financial experts, but to give them a better understanding of financial concepts and greater confidence when making decisions.
For example, Euroconsumers Invest can contribute to this type of initiative by making financial information and educational resources more accessible to employees, helping them develop their financial awareness at their own pace.
Step 3: Turning knowledge into action
Knowledge becomes more valuable when employees can apply it to their own circumstances.
Digital tools and practical resources can help employees move from understanding financial concepts to taking concrete steps — such as reviewing their spending, setting financial goals or exploring different saving and investment options.
In a workplace context, these tools can complement financial education by giving employees practical ways to put what they have learned into practice.
Step 4: Providing access to relevant guidance
Some financial decisions are inherently more complex than others. In such cases, employees may benefit from access to reliable information and appropriate guidance to better understand their options and make informed decisions. For employers, this can represent an additional layer of support within a broader financial wellbeing programme. Organisations can play an important role by facilitating access to trusted resources, educational content and professional expertise.
For individuals seeking more specific support, professional financial advice can complement financial education and practical tools. Depending on personal circumstances and objectives, this may include guidance on long-term financial planning, retirement preparation, savings strategies or investment decisions.
With regard to retirement-focused solutions available to both companies and individuals, several options exist, including Pension Funds and Personal Retirement Savings Plans (PPRs), among others. In this area, Euroconsumers Invest also offers a range of advisory services. One example is the PPR DECO PROteste, whose investment strategy is based on Euroconsumers dynamic asset allocation approach and follows recommendations provided by Euroconsumers Invest. The fund also incorporates sustainability considerations into its investment process, allowing investors to take environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into account alongside their financial objectives.
Importantly, this product is also available to the general public, subject to the applicable terms and eligibility requirements. As such, the PPR DECO PROteste is not limited to employees of a particular company and may be considered by any individual according to their personal financial circumstances and goals.
For more information, please visit: https://goldensgf.pt/ppr/deco-proteste/
A practical approach to financial wellbeing
The example above illustrates that financial awareness does not have to be a standalone initiative. It can be integrated into an organisation's broader employee wellbeing and benefits strategy.
A combination of financial education, practical tools, accessible information and appropriate support can give employees different ways to engage with financial wellbeing, depending on their individual circumstances and level of financial confidence.
For employers, the value lies not simply in offering financial resources, but in making those resources relevant, accessible and easy to use.
From financial awareness to financial confidence
Financial wellbeing programmes are most effective when they help employees move from awareness to action.
By giving people the knowledge and tools to better understand their finances, employers can create an environment where employees feel more confident making informed financial decisions — without expecting them to become financial experts.
For organisations looking to strengthen their financial wellbeing offering, working with a specialist provider such as Euroconsumers Invest can be one way to bring together financial education, practical resources and access to financial support within a workplace setting.
Ultimately, the goal is simple: help employees build the knowledge and confidence they need to make better financial decisions, today and in the future.