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Workplace Leaders in Financial Education Awards

    April 18, 2011

    SHRM has joined with the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) to sponsor the first annual Workplace Leaders in Financial Education Awards.

    The awards will recognize employers for efforts they’re making to help employees make sound financial decisions and improve their personal financial well-being. 

    The concept of  this award was initiated by the Workplace Subcommittee of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy. I was privileged to be appointed to the President’s Advisory Council in 2008 and worked closely with the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

    Teaching financial literacy is a workplace imperative.  Employers have a vested interest in having financially capable employees.  Workers who are confused or stressed about money often spend a significant amount of work time on personal financial problems.  In addition, they tend to have more work-related accidents and health problems.  By investing in financial literacy programs, organizations can reduce turnover, limit money-related distractions, and increase employee engagement and loyalty.

    This initiative is a natural extension of the work that is already being done by AICPA and SHRM.  Many of AICPA’s 370,000 members volunteer their time as part of the 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy initiative to educate Americans about managing their finances through every stage of life while many SHRM members have launched financial education programs in their workplaces. 

    Information about the awards program will be distributed to SHRM members in a variety of ways.  In order to better reach all SHRM chapter and state council members, I hope that you will post information about the award on your web site and encourage your members to apply for this national recognition.

    The application period ends July 1, 2011 and winners will be announced in the fall of 2011.  Please visit SHRM’s Resource Page to find information and tools including a sample web article, promotional flier, FAQs and award logo.  To see the application and for more information about the awards program, I invite you to visit www.wlife.org.