Financial stress remains a silent burden across the workforce—particularly among hourly and non-exempt employees in small and mid-sized businesses. As expectations evolve, HR and payroll leaders are rethinking how their systems can play a more active role in supporting employee well-being. In this session, Clair Co-founders Nico Simko (CEO) and Alex Kostecki (COO & Head of Product) will explore how embedded financial tools are reshaping the employee experience—from flexible pay to broader financial empowerment. Drawing on Clair’s journey and cross-platform implementation insights, the conversation will examine:


The structural and behavioral challenges hourly workers face—and where traditional payroll falls short.
Product design principles that make financial tools feel intuitive, not intrusive.
How integrated fintech can unlock new value in HR technology and support recruitment, retention, and resilience.


Whether you're evaluating earned wage access or exploring the next frontier of employee well-being, this session will provide strategic insight into how HR tech can evolve to meet the moment.