Timing of Pay Can Be a Game-Changer for Hourly Workers 

By Ryan Martyn and Jennifer Givens

Despite the lowest unemployment in half a century, the American worker is struggling financially. In particular, hourly workers continue to feel the brunt of high inflation. 

The struggle to pay bills is real. Last year, 12 million Americans resorted to payday loans to make ends meet, despite the fact that only 14% of payday loan borrowers can actually pay back their loans that include exorbitant fees.  

For those living on the edge of economic solvency, financial uncertainty can cause tremendous stress and constant trepidation every time the phone rings or an envelope shows up in the mailbox. This stress impacts not just the employee, but the employer as well.  When an employee is stressed, research shows they come to work less and are less productive. In fact, 1 in 5 quit their jobs because of stress, thus driving up recruiting costs for the company.

Life is stressful enough. Helping to alleviate an employee’s financial stress can be a win-win for all. Even with high profile layoffs at many companies including tech, entertainment, and finance, many organizations are still struggling to attract and retain talent, putting pressure on leadership to discover new alternatives to become an “Employer of Choice.” As leaders evaluate an organization’s Total Rewards package, all elements are important to ensure a well-rounded offering. However, compensation tends to be one, if not, the most important component as take-home pay impacts an employee’s day-to-day lifestyle. 

While additional compensation is a great way to attract and retain employees, there is a key element that employers may overlook. It’s often the timing of the pay that makes the greatest impact. 

And with 3 in 5 of U.S. consumers living paycheck to paycheck according to recent studies, being able to create solutions to put earned wages in employee’s hands quicker could be a prime way for organizations to stand out and attract and retain talent, 

Having access to your earned pay through a daily pay solution can have a profound effect on the ability to pay bills on time. The power of choice and control over one’s pay can play a significant role in helping workers avoid the vicious cycle of debt.  Research from The Aite-Novarica Group commissioned by DailyPay, a leading on-demand pay provider, found that 95% of those previously reliant on payday loans in any way either stopped using payday loans (81%) or reduced use (15%) after using DailyPay. On a similar note, 97% of those that said they overdrew their bank account prior to using DailyPay now rarely or never suffer overdraft fees (79%) or report experiencing fewer instances of overdraft fees (18%) after using DailyPay.

This puts a significant amount of money back in one’s pocket each year. For an employee, it’s like receiving an immediate raise, despite it costing nothing for the employer. With 77% of Americans carrying some form of debt, this additional savings can be monumental.  

Providing employees with the tools to help themselves get on a path toward financial wellness can deepen the bond between employer and employee. It signifies that the employer cares for the employee’s well-being. When employees feel valued and connected to their employer, they are more engaged and more productive. They develop loyalty and a stronger commitment, leading to longer tenure on the job. As research shows, longer-tenured employees are better, more productive employees. 

There is no single magic formula that ensures higher retention. However, empowering employees to take charge of their finances with the ability to pay bills, spend, save, invest, on their own schedule, not an arbitrary payday, can truly be transformational.

For more information on this topic, DailyPay and USI have collaborated on a white paper that can be found at dailypay.com.