Manufacturing operations in the UK are diverse: from factories producing car parts in the North to depots stacking equipment in the South, and drivers navigating busy roads to deliver it all. This round-the-clock grind includes operatives running machines, technicians fine-tuning systems, and lorries rolling out on shift cycles. Yet, despite the constant hustle, financial stress is quietly grinding away at productivity. When workers are worried about money, efficiency takes a hit.
The Hidden Costs of Financial Strain
Imagine a driver working overtime to cover a £200 rent increase, unsure whether the company’s savings scheme – offering a bonus – is worth the effort. Or an apprentice on a noisy workshop floor, staring at a payslip that might as well be in code, struggling to make ends meet. On the factory floor, a shift supervisor with years of experience skips the pension plan because it’s too complicated and there’s no time to figure it out.
These aren’t isolated cases. They’re the reality in many manufacturing workplaces.
The consequences are real. Drivers leave for slightly higher pay elsewhere, increasing turnover and training costs. Apprentices drop out due to financial strain, costing companies thousands in lost investment. Even seasoned workers, stressed by rising living costs, miss shifts or underperform, slowing output. And despite offering benefits like pensions and savings plans, companies struggle to engage their workforce. With 80% of employees deskless and scattered across various locations, most benefits information ends up unseen or discarded. HR teams spend valuable time answering repetitive questions instead of focusing on more strategic tasks.
Why It’s a Business Problem
This is a serious issue for the bottom line. Replacing skilled workers is costly, both in terms of time and money. Missed quality checks or delays in production can have far-reaching effects, especially when servicing high-stakes clients like carmakers or builders. Unused benefits are wasted budgets that could be better invested in retaining talent. Communication is another challenge – shift patterns are irregular, drivers are constantly on the move, and workers guard their personal contact details closely. Without the right tools, loyalty wanes, and in an industry where talent is scarce, it becomes harder to stay competitive.
A Financial Wellbeing Fix That Fits
This is where a solution like WellFi can make a real difference. WellFi’s platform is designed to meet manufacturing workers where they are – on break, at home, or on the road. With an easy to use, mobile-first app, workers can access short, engaging videos that demystify financial topics, teach them about savings schemes or help decode their payslip wherever and whenever is convenient.
WellFi’s bite-sized content is designed for all learning paces, from budgeting on shift pay to managing tight wages. HR teams benefit too: onboarding is transformed from paper-heavy processes to interactive content covering savings, overtime rules, and more. Text alerts help lift engagement, while usage data provides insights on what workers need most – whether it’s debt tips for drivers or budgeting basics for apprentices.
The Bigger Picture
The impact of better financial wellbeing is clear. Turnover decreases as employees see the full value of their compensation. Apprentices stay through their training, cutting hiring costs. Shift workers become more focused, absences decrease, and production steadies. Sign-ups for savings schemes and pension contributions rise, and workers feel more confident about their finances.
For companies, this translates into cost savings and a stronger reputation as an employer that truly cares. In a sector where margins are tight and skilled workers are invaluable, investing in financial wellbeing isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s essential.
Take a look at our Manufacturing – Use Case for more.
