Why every employer intranet should include a quick money stress test

The cost-of-living crisis hasn’t gone away.

For many employees, money worries are now a constant background stress, quietly affecting sleep, concentration, productivity and mental health.

Yet financial stress is still one of the hardest things for employees to talk about at work. 

People worry about stigma. 

They worry it will affect how they’re seen. 

And often, they don’t even know where to start.

That’s why more employers are adding simple, confidential money stress tests to their intranet. 

Not as a replacement for wider financial wellbeing support, but as a first, low-pressure step that helps employees recognise when they’re struggling and signposts them to the right help early.

Done well, it’s one of the most effective (and underused) tools in an employer’s financial wellbeing toolkit.

Employees don’t need to be in severe debt to be under financial strain.

Money stress can show up as:

• worrying about bills rising faster than pay
• using credit to cover everyday essentials
• feeling anxious before payday
• avoiding opening bank statements
• losing sleep over money decisions

Many people assume this is “just how things are now” and don’t realise support is available until the problem has escalated.

A quick money stress test helps surface hidden pressure early, before it turns into sickness absence, burnout or crisis borrowing.

A well-designed money stress test is:

• private - no manager conversations required
• fast - typically two to five minutes
• non-judgemental - no scores, labels or shame
• action-focused - points employees to relevant support straight away

And because it sits on the intranet, employees can access it:

• in their own time
• outside working hours
• on their phone or laptop
• without anyone knowing they’ve used it

That anonymity matters. 

It removes friction, and friction is often what stops people asking for help.

Not all money check-ins are created equal. 

To be genuinely useful, a money stress test should go beyond “are you in debt?” and reflect the real pressures employees face today.

Here are some ideas of what should be included to make it genuinely meaningful:

1. Questions about day-to-day financial pressure

The focus should be on how money feels, not just numbers.

For example:

• Are you struggling to keep up with essential bills?
• Do you regularly worry about money?
• Are you relying on credit for everyday costs?
• Would an unexpected £300 bill cause stress?
• Do money worries affect your sleep or concentration?

These questions help employees recognise stress patterns they may have normalised.

2. Clear, reassuring feedback, not a score

Employees don’t need to be told they’ve “failed” a test.

Instead, results should:

• normalise their experience (“many people feel this way”)
• explain what their answers suggest
• reassure them that support is available
• avoid financial jargon or judgemental language

The goal is insight, not diagnosis.

3. Personalised next steps

This is where many tools fall short.

A good money stress test should signpost employees based on their answers, for example:

• budgeting and money management support
• help with prioritising bills
• information on benefits or income support
• guidance on dealing with debt
• emotional support for money-related anxiety

Crucially, employees should feel they’re being offered help, not sold to.

4. Clear, relevant signposting to appropriate support

Not every employer will be able to offer personalised financial guidance - and that’s okay. 

What matters is helping employees understand where to go next, based on the pressures they’re experiencing.

A strong money stress test should:

• highlight the employee’s main areas of concern (such as bills, debt, or day-to-day money management)
• explain what type of support could help at this stage
• signpost clearly to relevant tools, guidance or services
• avoid overwhelming employees with too many options at once

Even simple, well-targeted signposting can make a meaningful difference. For example, employees could be guided to:

• MoneyHelper - free, impartial guidance on budgeting, debt, and pensions
• Citizens Advice - support for benefits, housing, debt, and other everyday financial issues
• Money Wellness - free money, budgeting, debt and income maximisation advice
• StepChange - free debt advice and management plans

The key is relevance. 

Generic lists of links are easy to ignore. 

Tailored signposting based on an employee’s responses is far more likely to be used. 

By pointing employees to trusted, independent support, organisations can help them take the first step towards better financial wellbeing, even without providing personalised advice in-house.

5. Simple language that feels human

Money stress already feels overwhelming. 

The last thing employees need is complex wording.

Effective money stress tests:

• use plain English
• avoid acronyms and technical terms
• acknowledge emotions as well as finances
• feel supportive, not corporate

Tone matters as much as content.

Adding a money stress test isn’t just good for employees, it delivers tangible benefits for organisations too.

Employers often see:

• earlier engagement with support services
• reduced financial-related stress and absenteeism
• better concentration and productivity
• stronger trust in wellbeing initiatives
• clearer insight into workforce needs (at an aggregate level)

Most importantly, it sends a powerful message: “We understand the pressures you’re under and want to help.”

A money stress test is a powerful first step. It helps employees recognise financial pressure early, in a private and non-judgemental way.

But awareness alone isn’t enough.

To create meaningful, lasting change, employees need ongoing, personalised support that helps them make better financial decisions, build resilience and improve their financial health over time.

That’s where employer-provided benefits can make a real difference. 

Platforms like moneyappi go beyond a simple check-in, delivering personalised money support tailored to each employee’s circumstances, whether they’re struggling with rising living costs, trying to regain control of their finances, or planning ahead with confidence.

By combining a quick money stress test with personalised financial guidance, employers can move from simply recognising financial stress to actively supporting employees to achieve their best possible financial health.