Over Half (58%) of Alberta Workers Say Financial Stress Is Hurting Job Performance, New Survey

New study reveals money worries are following Albertans to work, and many believe employers should help ease the strain.

CALGARY, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With rising living costs and persistent economic uncertainty, Alberta employees are bringing financial anxiety to the workplace. Today, Alberta-based non-profit credit counselling agency, Money Mentors, in partnership with Angus Reid, released the 2025 Workplace and Wellness Report, revealing that more than half (58%) of Albertans say financial stress has impacted their work performance in the past year, and 67% say it has distracted them at work in the past month.

The findings look at how closely financial health is tied to productivity, and how employees increasingly expect their employers to play a supporting role in their financial well-being.

Money worries are impacting focus and morale

Financial stress has become a daily reality for many workers. More than half of Albertans (58%) say it has at least somewhat affected their job performance, with one in five (19%) feeling its impact weekly and 15% experiencing it every day. Two-thirds (67%) report being distracted by financial worries at work in the past month, reflecting how personal money struggles are draining focus, energy, and morale across workplaces.

“Albertans are working hard, but financial stress doesn’t clock out when the workday starts,” said Stacy Yanchuk Oleksy, CEO of Money Mentors. “When people are anxious about bills, debt, or savings, it doesn’t just affect their productivity; it affects their mental health, relationships, and sense of control. Employers have an incredible opportunity to make a difference by helping their teams build financial confidence.”

Albertans feel unprepared for financial setbacks

The survey also reveals widespread financial security about long-term financial stability. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of respondents say they’re not confident they’ll be ready to retire at their desired age.

When asked how long they could cover expenses if they lost their job, Albertans said:

• 29% said six or more months.
• 27% said three to six months.
• 21% said only one to two months.
• 17% said less than a month.
• 6% said they couldn’t cover any expenses at all.

These results underscore how many Albertans are just one emergency or job loss away from serious financial hardship.

Employees want financial well-being support from employers

More than half (57%) of Albertans believe employers should play a role in supporting financial well-being, while another 34% somewhat agree, indicating a strong appetite for workplace programs that help reduce financial stress.

Workers increasingly view financial confidence as part of overall wellness. From budgeting workshops to access to non-profit counselling, Albertans say employer-backed initiatives could help them feel more in control of their money, and more focused at work.

Supporting financial well-being at work

Money Mentors encourages Alberta employers to take proactive steps to address financial stress in the workplace, such as offering access to unbiased financial education and resources. Sessions can be booked by reaching out to [e-mail].

As the exclusive provider of the Orderly Payment of Debt (OPD) program, managed on behalf of the Government of Alberta, Money Mentors helps Albertans manage debt, build better money habits, and regain financial stability through free, confidential counselling services and financial education.

For more information, please visit moneymentors.ca.

About Money Mentors:

Money Mentors is the only Alberta-based non-profit credit counselling agency. For more than 25 years, our experienced team of accredited Counsellors has been working with Albertans to help them get out of debt, manage their money, and plan for retirement.

Our mission is to educate Albertans in personal money management and the wise use of credit and to provide alternatives for families and individuals facing financial crises. For more information, visit www.moneymentors.ca to contact an accredited Counsellor.

Methodology

These findings are from a survey conducted by Money Mentors from October 16 to 21, 2025, among a sample of 800 employed Albertans who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. The survey was conducted in English. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/-3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.