A quick summary:
The dust has (almost) settled on another Black Friday. The inbox explosions, the countdown timers, the “once-in-a-lifetime” deals that mysteriously return every year… it’s a familiar scene. And while some genuinely benefit from seasonal discounts, for many employees the pressure to spend now or lose out forever can take a real toll.
Beyond the stress on bank accounts, this kind of panic buying can trigger anxiety, guilt, and longer-term financial setbacks. As we move into December - another notoriously spend-heavy month - it’s the perfect moment to pause and rethink what financial wellbeing support should look like in the workplace.
Is financial wellbeing an employer’s responsibility?
In short: yes. When employees feel financially secure, everything else follows: engagement, productivity, focus, retention, and even physical health. Money worries are one of the biggest causes of stress, yet they often go unspoken at work - 47% report worsened mental health due to finances. Many people don’t feel confident managing their finances, and even fewer know where to turn for guidance when things go wrong.
Workplaces are uniquely positioned to offer support - not by telling people how to spend their money, but by giving them the tools, education, and confidence to make informed decisions.
The Black Friday effect: where pressure meets psychology
Black Friday plays into human behaviour by:
- Creating urgency with countdowns and limited-time offers
- Targeting emotions, especially fear of missing out
- Rewarding impulse, often over genuine need
Employees who are already under financial strain may feel the greatest pressure to “take advantage” of deals, even when spending isn’t necessary. Financial education helps people recognise these triggers and make choices aligned with their long-term goals - not marketing tactics.
How can employers make a real difference?
Here’s where thoughtful financial wellbeing strategies come in. The goal isn’t to tell people not to shop; it’s to empower them with awareness, confidence, and options.
A few high-impact approaches include:
1. Offer financial education that actually relates to daily life
Workshops, resources, or consultations that explain:
- How retailers use psychological tactics during peak sales
- How to evaluate if a deal is genuinely beneficial
- How to budget without feeling restricted
- The importance of long-term planning vs. short-term gratification
Knowledge is one of the best antidotes to impulse buying.
2. Give employees access to trusted financial experts
Financial advice shouldn’t be reserved for those with high incomes. When employees can speak to professionals - whether about budgeting, savings, mortgages, debt, or legal planning - they’re far more likely to feel secure and in control.
3. Promote proactive planning, not reactive spending
Helping employees set financial goals before peak spending seasons reduces panic buying. Support like savings plans, financial wellbeing tools, and reminders to reflect before purchasing can be genuinely transformative.
4. Provide holistic wellbeing benefits that acknowledge money is part of health
Financial stress doesn’t just affect bank balances. It can impact sleep, mood, self-esteem, and overall wellbeing. Taking a health-led approach makes employees feel supported as whole individuals.
How Heka supports financial wellbeing
At Heka, we recognise that financial health is deeply connected to mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. That’s why we’re proud to be the only health-led employee benefits platform, supporting every area of life - including money matters.
Through Heka, employees can access:
- Financial consultations with trusted experts
- Financial education through workshops and resources
- Savings platforms to build healthier habits
- Mortgage advice to support long-term planning
- Estate planning and legal advice to build security
- Intergenerational home-share opportunities that reduce living costs and increase stability
Our goal is simple: to empower employees with genuine choice, trusted guidance, and personalised support.
Final thoughts
Post–Black Friday is a good reminder that financial wellbeing isn’t seasonal. It’s an ongoing journey, shaped by education, awareness, confidence, and support. When employers invest in financial wellbeing, employees feel more secure, more empowered, and better equipped to make decisions that are right for them - not for marketers.
And that’s a win that lasts far longer than any flash sale.
Want to learn more? Speak to the team today!
