In a time when Americans are paying over $7 for a dozen eggs, hourly workers are speaking up about their paychecks. What they’re asking for is simple: faster access to the money they’ve already earned. With the cost of living on the rise, over half of employees say their wages aren’t keeping up with inflation, according to SHRM. That disconnect is driving more workers to look for jobs that offer immediate access to earned income — so they can cover essentials like bills, groceries, or surprise expenses without relying on credit cards or payday loans.
For employers, meeting this moment increasingly requires offering earned wage access (EWA). Earned wage access (also called on-demand pay) is a benefit that lets employees access a portion of their earned wages before payday. EWA is no longer simply a nice-to-have benefit; it’s a deciding factor in where people choose to work and how long they stay. And for a growing number of employers, it’s a simple way to show they value their people and want to keep them on the team.
Employee Demand for On-Demand Pay Is Rising
The demand for EWA is widespread. According to Harris Poll data cited by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, 83% of U.S. workers aged 18–44 believe they should have access to earned wages at the end of each day or shift, and 81% would take a job offering free on-demand pay over one that doesn’t. That interest is translating into expectations, especially in hourly roles where financial stress tends to hit harder.
Gen Z + Millennials Expect Faster Access to Their Pay
As on-demand pay gains traction, younger workers are leading the shift in expectations. They don’t just want a paycheck—they want flexibility, autonomy, and modern benefits that match how they live. Why? This group is the most tech-savvy working class group and expects real-time access — to information, to services, and to earnings. Gallup data shows younger workers value well-being, flexibility, and control over their financial lives as much as traditional salary benefits.
Gen Z (born 1997-2012) and Millennials (born 1981-1996) employees are leading the charge for EWA. According to ERE.net, 61% of Gen Z workers say they want their employer to offer earned wage access, and both Millennials and Gen Z employees believe they should have instant access to the wages they’ve already earned. For employers aiming to stay competitive with the needs of Millennial and Gen Z employees, offering EWA is a wise move.
The Risk of Ignoring EWA? Falling Behind
As more employers adopt EWA to attract and retain talent, the ones that don’t are starting to stand out in the wrong way. Workers are paying attention to which companies support their financial well-being and making career decisions accordingly.
Companies that offer EWA often experience significant drops in turnover. For example, 89% of employees who use Tapcheck’s EWA service report feeling more loyalty to their employer for offering early pay. In a competitive job market where more workers are assessing their benefits packages more than ever, this type of retention tool is hard to ignore.
What HR Experts Are Saying About EWA
EWA works well in fast-paced, high-turnover industries like fast food restaurants. Tapcheck clients are seeing just how impactful on-demand pay can be for employee satisfaction and operations.
“Our employees are calling out of work less because they can get the funds they need before payday… We have happier employees because of it.”
—Cathy Remedies, Director of Operations Services, Taco Bell franchise
“The ability for our employees to access their pay between pay periods when they really need it and the Tapcheck process being super easy on my end, makes it a win-win. Over 50% of our employees have registered with Tapcheck, and among those registered, 67% use the benefit every pay period.”
—Becki Carpenter, Payroll Director, McDonald’s franchise
The Bottom Line on Why Earned Wage Access Matters
Offering earned wage access isn’t just a smart way to attract and keep talent. It’s a signal that:
- You understand financial stress and want to alleviate it
- You’re paying attention to what your workforce expects
- You’re committed to empowering your team with more financial control
Want to see how Tapcheck can help you support your employees and stay competitive? Request a demo today.
