High turnover isn’t just a headache, it’s expensive. In hourly workforce industries, replacing a single frontline employee can cost thousands in recruiting, onboarding, and lost productivity. And with so many workers living paycheck to paycheck, financial stress has become one of the biggest drivers of attrition.
According to the American Psychological Association’s 2023 Stress in America™ report, 63% of U.S. adults say money is a significant source of stress. That number jumps to 82% among younger adults ages 18 to 34. That pressure often shows up at work through missed shifts, disengagement, or job-hopping to find more financial flexibility. But there’s one benefit that directly addresses this issue: earned wage access (EWA).
Here are five proven ways EWA helps companies reduce turnover, backed by real-world data from Tapcheck customers.
1. Quickly improves retention
Let’s start with the big one. Offering EWA gives employees a meaningful way to manage financial emergencies, without taking out payday loans or waiting for the next paycheck. That peace of mind translates into real retention gains.
- At Vertex Consulting Group, employees who actively used Tapcheck were 26% more likely to stay compared to those who didn’t.
- SambaCare, a healthcare staffing agency, saw an 85% improvement in retention among Tapcheck users.
- One large skilled nursing provider with over 7,000 employees reported that regular Tapcheck users were 49% more likely to stay.
These aren’t hypothetical numbers. They’re real outcomes for real teams.
2. Reduces missed shifts and absenteeism
When money is tight, employees are forced to make tough choices, like skipping a shift because they can’t afford gas or a babysitter. But when workers can access a portion of their earned wages instantly, those emergencies don’t turn into call-offs.
At R2 Restaurants, a Taco Bell franchisee in Texas, Director of Ops Cathy Remedies noticed the impact right away:
“Our employees are calling out of work less because they can get the funds they need before payday... We have happier employees because we have Tapcheck.”
Within just a few months of implementation, 51% of their team registered for Tapcheck, and 31% used it each pay cycle.
3. Boosts morale and loyalty
Financial wellness is about more than just dollars, it’s about dignity. Giving workers control over when they get paid builds trust and loyalty. At McDonald’s franchisee TJ Wolf Inc., 67% of Tapcheck-registered employees used the benefit every pay period.
“The ability for our employees to access their pay between pay periods when they really need it... makes it a win-win,” said Payroll Director Becki Carpenter.
The result? A 2.5x lift in retention for active Tapcheck users and a noticeable boost in morale and productivity across locations.
4. Strengthens your hiring advantage
In competitive industries like quick-serve restaurants, healthcare, or manufacturing, job seekers are comparing benefits, not just wages. Offering EWA through Tapcheck can give employers the edge.
Take Ghai Management, which operates 200+ Burger King, Taco Bell, and Popeyes locations. They promoted Tapcheck as part of their benefits package and saw turnover drop from 150% in 2022 to just 50% in 2024, well below industry averages.
“Even now, with everyone paying the same, it’s something else we can offer to help retention and engagement,” said VP of HR Jennifer Frick.
5. Eliminates the need for payroll advances
Many companies still handle paycheck advance requests manually, a time-consuming and frustrating process for HR and payroll teams. EWA eliminates that burden entirely, while giving employees what they need: timely access to their earnings.
“It’s become a standard in our industry now,” said Aaron Shapiro of Vertex Consulting Group. “If you want to retain employees, you need to offer on-demand pay.”
Vertex saw $14 million in wages transferred through Tapcheck and a 60% higher-than-average registration rate, with 78% of users transferring at least once per month.
The Bottom Line: EWA Is a Retention Tool
While it might seem like just another payroll feature, EWA is proving to be one of the most impactful tools for retaining frontline talent. When employees feel supported—especially during financial crunches—they’re far more likely to stay loyal, stay productive, and stay put.
And with Tapcheck, employers can offer this benefit at zero cost, with minimal admin effort, and integrations across hundreds of payroll systems.
Want to see how Tapcheck can help you reduce turnover on your team?
Request a demo today.
