Reducing Financial Stress with Earned Wage Access

The Challenge:

Financial Stress Was Impacting Workforce Stability

Surgery Partners employs a large hourly workforce across 200+ locations—many living paycheck to paycheck. When unexpected expenses hit, employees often turned to high-cost options like payday loans or check-cashing services.

Leadership recognized that financial stress was directly affecting workforce reliability and retention. But traditional solutions like changing payroll cycles or offering advances introduced complexity and risk.

They needed a solution that could:

• Support employees in real time

• Integrate seamlessly into existing systems

• Deliver impact without adding cost or administrative burden

"We weren’t in the market for Earned Wage Access¹, but once we saw the impact it could have on our workforce, it became a no-brainer.”

VP of HR Operations at Surgery Partners

The Solution:

Payactiv Embedded into the Employee Experience

Surgery Partners implemented Payactiv directly within their UKG ecosystem, giving employees access to earned wages before payday.

The implementation required:

• No payroll disruption

• No system overhaul

• No employer cost

What stood out most was how naturally it fit into existing workflows.

"It’s not a separate system for us, it’s fully integrated into payroll and reporting."

VP of HR Operations at Surgery Partners

Employee Impact:

Breaking the Financial Stress Cycle

Payactiv became a real-time support system for employees facing everyday challenges:

• Childcare costs

• Transportation issues

• Emergency expenses

"When someone says ‘I don’t know how I’ll pay for this’… we can sit down and show them a solution."

Alex Carpenter
VP of HR Operations at Surgery Partners

What Happens When Financial Stress Is Removed

When employees have access to their earned wages, financial stress no longer dictates how they show up at work.

With greater stability, they’re better able to stay focused, maintain consistent attendance, and navigate everyday challenges without disruption.

Measurable Workforce Outcomes

The impact of Payactiv extended beyond employee sentiment. It delivered clear business results:

• 34% higher retention among active Payactiv users

• Increased shift reliability and reduced call-outs

• Stronger workforce stability across locations

While not every outcome is directly measurable, the operational improvements are consistent and visible.

Strategic Value: More Than a Benefit

What began as an added benefit is now embedded into Surgery Partners’ workforce strategy, supporting recruiting, strengthening onboarding, and reinforcing how the organization communicates value to employees.

It has evolved into a practical tool for improving retention and maintaining workforce stability.

"I can’t imagine ever not having an Earned Wage Access program."

Alex Carpenter
VP of HR Operations at Surgery Partners