If you missed last month’s WorldatWork Total Rewards 2010 Annual Conference and Exhibition, here’s a quick recap of the presentation made by Elizabeth Halkos, Purchasing Power’s vice president of sales and marketing. In her presentation, Halkos commented that with the current unstable economic climate, we are witnessing increased unemployment rates, rising debt, record-high foreclosures, and staggering credit card charge-offs. For employers, there is increased concern over rising healthcare costs. Many companies find themselves under stress and in trouble, looking for ways to cut costs while making every effort to boost morale and individual performance levels of employees. For many employees, the issue is the same; they find themselves financially stressed. This stress often mitigates the effectiveness of employee benefit programs. Financial stress leads to less satisfaction with pay, wasted time at work, more absenteeism, and even health issues. Halkos pointed out that often employees turn to their employers for assistance and protection. This presents an opportunity for employers to find new ways to ease stress and improve the quality of life for their employees. One way to do this is to engage employees in programs that promote a better financial future including financial literacy programs where employees are taught how to manage their finances, make sound decisions, understand debt literacy and utilize employer-sponsored discount and purchase programs like Purchasing Power. By motivating employees to take charge of their financial future, employers will have workers that are more engaged, more satisfied with their jobs, more financially secured and happy.

1. Promoting Financial Wellness and Disciplined Spending Among Employees

2. Elizabeth Halkos 2010 Total Rewards Conference & Exhibition Vice President Sales and Marketing

3. The Global Economy 2010 Total Rewards Conference & Exhibition Increasing Interest Rates Continuing Mortgage Crisis Shrinking Credit Lines Failing Financial Institutions Increasing Credit Card Rates

8. 2010 Total Rewards Conference & Exhibition Causes of Stress #1 Money & financial problems #2 Work #3 The economy

11. Other Effects 2010 Total Rewards Conference & Exhibition Financial stress mitigates the effectiveness of employee benefit programs

13. Opportunity 2010 Total Rewards Conference & Exhibition Employees turn to employers for protection and assistance Employers should find ways to ease stress and improve quality of life for employees

14. Opportunity 2010 Total Rewards Conference & Exhibition Engage employees in programs that promote a better financial future

17. How to Implement 2010 Total Rewards Conference & Exhibition Help employees set financial goals

23. The Ultimate Goal 2010 Total Rewards Conference & Exhibition “ Anything companies can do to reduce that stress level for employees is something you have to look at.” - The Wall Street Journal March 18, 2009

24. Motivate Employees 2010 Total Rewards Conference & Exhibition To take hold of their financial future

26. Benefits to the Employer 2010 Total Rewards Conference & Exhibition Happier, more financially literate workers + Increased productivity = Strong, competitive organization Happier, more financially literate workers + Increased productivity = Strong, competitive organization

28. Case Studies: Customers 2010 Total Rewards Conference & Exhibition "This was an excellent opportunity to purchase a top quality item at an affordable payment option." - R . Kostak, Purchasing Power Customer, Gaming/Hospitality Industry "I ordered a laptop computer after receiving a flyer at work. I love being able to order something I would not normally be able to afford because of interest rates on credit cards. I have so much going on with working full time, a child in kindergarten, another one at home, and a husband so not having to worry about one more bill has been great." - M. Owensby, Purchasing Power Customer, Retail Industry

29. Case Studies: Employer 2010 Total Rewards Conference & Exhibition

30. It’s a Win-Win! 2010 Total Rewards Conference & Exhibition Emerge from the recession with a stronger, more productive workforce