It's an ugly situation for employers when more and more of their workers are distressed about their personal finances and running hard just to keep their heads above water financially.
E. Thomas Garman, Professor Emeritus, Virginia Tech University.

With financial education a caring Company Manager can have a huge impact on reducing staff turnover, absenteeism and health and recruitment costs.

"One in four workers is seriously financially distressed about personal financial problems. Many bring their financial troubles to work where it negatively impacts job productivity. For employers, this translates to an average doller lose of $450 per employee per year. The loss comes from absenteeism and work time spent dealing with personal finances." (1)

> TVNZ reported in May 2006 that New Zealand households are spending 112% of their income each and every week.

> While the reserve Bank CEO, Don Brash reported that over 30% of New Zealand families spent over 45% of their income each week.

> Currently in New Zealand we owe over $40 Billion on credit cards.

Financial stress breaks up marriages, causes mental instability and turns people to drink and drug dependency. All this impacts on the work place.

We assist Employers because:

> Staff turnover and absenteeism is reduced as staff have less time off to take care of money problems. They also stay with one employer longer if they are achieving their financial aims with that employer.

> Most Human Resource Mangers recognise that it takes 90 days to recruit and train new staff members. At what cost?

> "Overspending is no different than being an alcoholic or drug addict. Time lost in the work place is the same." (2)

> "Workers waste 20+ hours of company time thinking about and dealing with personal finances." (6)

> Staff health issues are lessened reducing absenteeism.

> A 14-year study links debt stress to heart disease, diabetes, obesity, raised cholesterol and high blood pressure. (3)

> A string of suicide deaths has been linked to mounting loans/debt. (4)

> "A large proportion of those who are financially distressed, 40% to 50%, report that their health is directly impacted negatively by their financial worries and problems. (1)

> Our programs help maintain productivity. Less distraction on personal problems means more focus on the work place.

> "Workers spend only 49% of their time focused on their company's key priorities. (9)

> "Many workers who struggle with money matters are less productive at their place of employment because of their financial distress. Depending upon their place of employment, 30% to 80% of financially distressed workers spend time at work worrying about personal finances and dealing with financial issues instead of working."

> "People at all levels in society experience distress about financial matters."   (1)

> "Nearly 40% of US workers are experiencing so much stress over personal finances that their productivity suffers." (7)

> Profit levels increase.

> Stock prices of companies with high morale outperformed similar companies in he same industry by more than 2 to 1. The research showed that companies with low morale lagged behind their competitors by almost 5 to 1. (8)

> Employers are seen as socially responsible and caring.

> Companies are able to attract the best employees.

Staff taught financial literacy skills:

> Take less time off to deal with money matters.

> Stay with the company longer.

> Are under less stress and therefore have better health, reducing short-term disability and absenteeism.

> Become more self-confident and more valuable as employees.

> Are more loyal to their employer.

> Learn to live within their budget.

> Are more productive.

> Behave more responsibly.

> Are less inclined to steal from their employer.

> Are less prone to substance abuse.

Citation Sources.

1. E Thomas Garman, Fellow and Professor Emeritus, Virginia Tech University – www.EthomasGarman.net -- Press release, Orlando, Florida, March 23, 2005.
2. Cathy Chu, USA Today. Excerpts from "Many Marriages Today are --'TillDebt Do Us Part' ".
3. Article by Sarah Bosely, The Guardian.
4. By Rupert Jones, USA Today.
5. E Thomas Garman and Joo & Garman as reported by Dave Ramsey. www.Totalmoneymakeover.com.
6. John and Alice McLean --“ Yearly Missionary Report, reported on the web site of www.daveramsey.com.
7. U.S. News & World Report as reported on www.daveramsey.com.
8. Sirota Consulting LLC, www.sirota.com --“ a global study focused on 28 publicly traded companies with 920,000 employees "High morale accompanies high stock" conducted in 2004.
9. Harris Interactive Study of 11,045 U.S. workers as reported on www.daveramsey.com.

Workshop outline:

Module 1	Gain Control of Your Own Finacial Life!
Module 2	The Twin traps of Hire Purchase and Insurance
Module 3	The Pleasure and Pain of Buying a House