IT Management Slideshow: Personal Financial Stress Hurts Employee Performance

Personal finance problems among a few employees wouldn't typically be your concern. CIOs and other senior managers have often traditionally taken an "MYOB" position on the subject. But, the recent recession has hardly been typical, and it's still impacting employees on and off the job, according to a survey from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Employees are struggling with debt -- not for big-ticket purchases but for day-to-day living needs. Many are dependent on credit cards because there's simply no other way to pay the bills, and a significant share cannot meet even the minimum monthly payment on those cards. The upshot: Financial stress has emerged as a work distraction for some. And, while you may think that your higher-paid performers are immune from these circumstances, the survey reveals otherwise. Not surprisingly, retirement planning for many professionals is now on "on hold" for the indefinite future. "The results clearly show that retirement is not the most pressing financial concern weighing on employees' minds," says Kent Allison, partner in PwC's financial education practice. "In addition, the financial distractions and resulting levels of stress may cause a loss of productivity and have an impact on employee health." More than 1,600 adults making at least $30,000 a year took part in the research.