The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Tuesday urged employers to adopt holistic financial wellness programs, noting they could save $3 for every $1 spent.

In a report, the CFPB said the programs reduce company absenteeism, disability and worker compensation costs. Poor financial management can lead to stress, which can cause physical illnesses, reducing the amount of time a person can work. The programs also result in smaller outlays for administering 401(k) loans and wage garnishments from debts, CFPB says.

It was surprising that employees give companies low marks on helping with financial management, given the huge amounts that workplaces spend on health-care and retirement benefits, CFPB said.

Financial wellness programs look at how all the pieces of an individual’s financial life fit together, the study said. Companies should help workers try to improve overall financial success rather than save for specific costs, such as retirement or college, the report added.

One specific objective the CFPB stressed for financial wellness efforts is to reduce employee borrowing from 401(k) plans.

The agency called the loans bad for workers because they are inefficient; they use long-term savings for short-term needs. They also are costly for businesses because of the paperwork expenses of the loans.

Sometimes, the agency said, financial wellness programs are best when they are entertaining. The report praises office supply retailer Staples for using vampire-themed games to coax workers into retirement planning