Breaking the taboo: talking about money at work

Why money conversations matter

Talking about money isn't just about pay transparency; it's about connection, trust, and creating an environment where people feel safe enough to share their experiences and challenges.

Open conversations can have a massive impact:

• Stronger relationships

  Honest chats about saving, budgeting or money stress build human connection.

• Faster access to support

  People are much more likely to get help early if they feel they can talk about money.

• Better habits

  Conversations create accountability, inspiration, and confidence to take action.

• More effective benefits

  Financial wellbeing tools (like Payroll Savings) work better when people feel empowered to engage.

📊 According to Clear.Bank's research, over 75% of UK adults want to save more but say they lack the tools and habits to do it. That’s a huge gap and conversation can help bridge it.

What’s getting in the way

Money’s a tough topic! It’s up there in the great taboos alongside politics and religion. Stigma, shame, and fear of judgment hold many people back from opening up about debt, mistakes, or financial stress.

Cultural norms often teach us it’s rude to talk about money, and those messages linger. Power dynamics at work can make it feel risky to be honest, especially with managers or peers. And gender bias plays a role too – 60% of UK women have experienced financial “mansplaining” (Financial Times) making it even harder to speak up.

How to start the conversation

You don’t need to overhaul your culture overnight – you can start small if it’s easier. Here are a few prompts we love (and shared in our monthly newsletter) to spark better money conversations in your team or with yourself:

💬 What are you saving for and why?

💬 What did you learn about money growing up?

💬 Do you save little and often, or in big chunks?

💬 What’s something you wish you understood better about money?

These questions open the door to honest, stigma-free chats and they’re surprisingly powerful. Try them in 1:1s, team huddles, workshops, or even Slack threads.

How employers and platforms can support

If you’re in a position to shape workplace culture, here’s how you can help:

• Lead from the front!

  When leaders talk honestly about financial habits or challenges, it gives others permission to do the same.

• Create safe spaces

  Foster a culture where vulnerability is celebrated and asking for help is encouraged.

• Give people something to talk about

  Tools like Payroll Savings make money habits tangible and open up new conversations.

• Use our free Financial Wellness Planner

  Packed with practical prompts, checklists and habit-building tools, the Sync 2025 Financial Wellness Planner helps teams take meaningful steps toward better money habits together.

• Partner with specialists

  Our friends at My Money Explained offer tailored coaching, workshops and team training to build financial confidence from the inside out.

Money doesn’t need to be a solo mission.

Small questions, big impact

Talking about money gets easier the more we do it. A simple question can shift someone’s mindset or spark new habits. So, we ask, what are you saving for?

Financial freedom starts with talking.

👉 Want to bring better money conversations to your team? Sync can help.