Improve Access to Employee Support, Says Top Career Coach

Following recent reports of high levels of finance-related stress in the workplace, a top career coach is urging businesses to ensure that their employees are aware of, and have access to, the necessary support they need to protect their health and wellbeing during periods of uncertainty. Kate Bishop, who has fast become one of the UK’s leading career coaches, believes that employee support is key to maintaining a strong workforce.

Bishop has spoken out in response to a recent study by financial consultancy Neyber, who found that nearly three quarters of UK employees earning between £10,000 and £19,000 per year felt stressed over their finances. Interestingly, however, these levels of stress do not appear to be directly correlated with salary, with around 50% of earners in the £50,000 to £59,000 per annum range also admitting to experiencing money-related worries.

A potential reason that has been identified for feelings of stress and anxiety spanning earning levels is debt, with Neyber confirming that, of those workers that owed money to a lender, the average debt was £7,555. The financial wellbeing study was conducted across more than 11,000 workers in the UK.

“An increasing number of businesses are experiencing high levels of stress in their employees, but unfortunately little is being done because stress and finances can both be such difficult topics to explore” says career, confidence, and wellbeing coach Kate Bishop. “It is hugely important for organisations to understand some of the most common causes of workplace stress today, implement better working practices, and offer support to their workers through consultations with independent financial advisors and corporate coaches, and through resilience and stress management training.”

With Brexit resulting in a highly uncertain future for many employees, it is becoming increasingly vital for workers to fully consider their financial situation and to have peace of mind that they are taking the appropriate measures to protect themselves. Bishop recommends creating a financial budget, and gaining a greater understanding of payslips, tax, and National Insurance payments, particularly for anyone who is self-employed or working as a contractor to ensure correct tax payments and access to a state pension.

For businesses, Bishop advises that all organisations should make sure that they have a trusted payroll company onboard, and, if possible, are able to provide pension contributions or offer the opportunity for employees to pay into a private pension in a bid to reduce the amount of financial stress.

Bishop works with both individuals facing uncertainty and with remaining teams to empower their impact within an organisation. Offering future-focused sessions, Bishop works to support both employees and businesses during periods of change, and provides organisations with the knowledge and tools they need to build a happy and healthy workforce.

To find out more about Kate Bishop, visit www.kate-bishop.co.uk