How Hardship Funds Can Close the Gap Wages Can't
We recently took a look at the data behind the employee emergency relief programs across our manufacturing clients. Together with industry research, real grant data shows where financial instability shows up and how leading employers are responding.
Help your team get back on their feet.
Manufacturing employers lead most industries on health coverage and wages, yet attracting and retaining talent remains the sector’s most persistent challenge. The reason isn’t what they are offering.
It’s what happens when a $1,000 car repair stands between an employee and their next shift.
The problem
Your workforce is facing hardships existing programs weren't built to catch.
65%
of manufacturers say recruiting and retaining workers is their #1 business challenge.
59%
of Americans can’t afford a $1,000 emergency.
1 in 5
grant requests from Canary’s manufacturing clients are car-related.
↓
↓
↓
1 in 5
manufacturing grantees said it allowed them to keep working
$1,145
the average grant given to manufacturing employees through Grant Circle.
$938
is enough to help the average manufacturing employee fix their car and get back to work.
Most employer offerings are designed for planned needs. A hardship fund addresses the unplanned ones they aren’t built for.
The employers who show up when it's hard are the ones workers stay for.
Canary’s emergency relief platform, Grant Circle, gives manufacturing employers a fast, dignified way to get emergency financial relief to workers when they need it most without putting HR in the middle of a personal crisis. Canary handles the administration, the compliance, and the decisioning. The employers who show up when it’s hard are the ones workers stay for.
Enhance employee experience
76% said the grant provided breathing room to figure out next steps; 59% felt less stressed.
Become a great place to work.
54% of manufacturing employees who received a grant said they felt supported by their employer
Reduce turnover
18% of manufacturing grantees said the grant allowed them to continue working.
Not sure where to start? Here's what we recommend.
We partner with organizations of any size to launch a white-labeled platform for emergency assistance grants that meets the unique needs of their community. Grant Circle, powered by Canary is the best emergency relief solution. It:
1. Survey your workforce on financial stress
Measure whether it has affected attendance, focus, or intent to stay.
2. Talk to your frontline managers
They know when someone is struggling before it shows up in your data.
3. Look at your existing data through a new lens
Rising absenteeism and 401(k) hardship withdrawals are leading indicators of financial distress hiding in plain sight.
4. Audit your existing programs for gaps
Look at which offerings employees are actually using.
5. Establish an employer-sponsored hardship fund
Emergency financial relief doesn’t require a new budget line. It belongs inside the well-being investment you’re already making.
What manufacturers and their employees are saying
Potter Global Technology is one of a growing number of manufacturers using Grant Circle to close the gap between the hardships their workforce faces and the programs designed to help. The results show up in retention, attendance, and how employees feel about where they work.
“Our employees are at the heart of everything we do and we realize unexpected financial hardships happen. Being able to work with a responsive grant partner in Canary, allows us to support our people during difficult times.”
Keli Watson, Vice president Human resources at potter global technology
“I have worked at many places and never have I been offered this type of assistance.”
Anonymous grantee
recipient & donor
Impact Stories
People appreciate both receiving, and giving help.
“Thank you so, so much for all of your help! Every little bit helps and…this will go a long way to helping us get back on track! I hope to be able to pay this forward as soon as we can!”
Ana, Grant recipient
“When I needed to buy an emergency plane ticket, Grant Circle helped me. Ever since, I have wanted to contribute back into the fund so that others could benefit in the same way I did. After I built my savings back up, I was able to start making contributions. Both giving and receiving grant money has made me feel even better about my work community. It means employees and the company are supporting each other.”
John, grant donor
annual report
Strengthening the Safety Net
Get your copy of the inaugural Annual Report to learn how Grant Circle, Canary’s employee relief solution, addresses one of the most pressing issues facing communities today: their near-term financial security.
