Earned Wage Access (EWA): What Is It and Why Is It Important?

Allowing employees early access to their wages is one of the easiest and most effective tools for implementing measurable benefits across your organization. At Tapcheck, we are proud to offer one of the premier Earned Wage Access solutions for employers. This article looks at Earned Wage Access, what it is, how it will benefit you as the employer, and how it helps your employees. 

What is Earned Wage Access?

Earned Wage Access (also called EWA or on-demand pay) is a payroll solution for employers that allows employees to access their earned wages before payday. Although this is a relatively new phenomenon in payroll, EWA has quickly gained popularity among employers and is now a must-have tool for many companies. 

Early Wage Access not only has several practical benefits for employers – but it can also add to the well-being and work-life balance of employees. By providing employees with the financial flexibility to use their earned wages before payday, employers can expect to see some welcome benefits for their company and their workforce. 

EWA Benefits For Employers

By implementing an EWA system such as Tapcheck, employers can expect to see several positive changes and a measurable impact within their organization.¹ 

• Increased  Retention
  Organizations that allow employees the flexibility to access their wages before payday experience a 50% decrease in employee turnover. This improvement makes perfect sense when you consider that  89% of employees would work longer for a company that offers an option for on-demand pay.¹
• Improved Staff Morale
  With EWA, companies have reported a 74% reduction in absenteeism.² By experiencing less personal stress due to financial burdens, employees are more likely to come into work and display better morale while on the job.
• Enhanced Productivity
  By gaining financial control through Earned Wage Access, employees spend less time focused on financial stress, and employers see a 49% increase in employee productivity.

EWA Benefits for Employees

With early access to their paychecks, employees who use EWA can experience less financial stress, and they may save more money throughout the year. 

• Less Financial Stress
  When employees face an unexpected expense, Earned Wage Access can help relieve the stress that comes with it. Employees don’t have to worry about borrowing money or going into unneeded debt by accessing their wages on their own time.
• Easier Savings
  Waiting for a paycheck can be costly. For some, the only way to avoid over-drafting their account is to get a payday loan or max out their credit cards. However, with the financial flexibility of EWA, employees can essentially borrow money from themselves and save up to $1,300 per year by avoiding high-interest payments and overdraft fees.³
• Financial Control
  When employees have control over their wages, they feel empowered. Employees who have the power and flexibility to access their money when they need it tend to be happier, less stressed, more productive, and more loyal to their company.

How to Implement Earned Wage Access

Now that you know all about EWA and the benefits that it can provide for your company, we at Tapcheck would love to show you how to implement this tool and start reaping the rewards of empowering your employees. Request a demo today, and let us show you how your company and your employees can experience the many benefits of Earned Wage Access.

Sources:

1. Visa Insights 2019. Earned Wage Access Report.
2. Georgetown Journal (2020). Early Wage Access Products. 
3. Federal Reserve Bank Of Kansas City. (2020). The Rise Of Earned Wage Access