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Employees Don't Want More Comms, They Want Better Comms
A new report finds UK employees want more relevant communication about pay, benefits, and career paths, rather than an increased volume of updates.
Key Points
- A new report finds UK employees want more relevant communication about pay, benefits, and career paths, rather than an increased volume of updates.
- Only 13% of employees give their company's internal communications a top score, with just half believing their organization acts on their feedback.
- Email remains the preferred communication channel for nearly two-thirds of workers, followed by face-to-face meetings with managers.
According to the new "IC Index 2025" report, most UK employees feel the volume of internal communication is right, but they're desperate for more relevant content about their pay, benefits, and career paths. The findings suggest companies are missing the mark on what actually builds trust and engagement.
The missing memo: While companies broadcast general updates, there's a clear gap between the message and the audience. Over a third of workers want more information on pay and benefits, with career development and job guidance also being top demands, according to data from a companion report.
Still king: Despite the explosion of new platforms, email remains the preferred channel for nearly two-thirds of employees. But the data also shows a desire for a more human touch, as 35% of workers hear updates directly from their managers in face-to-face meetings.
A failure to communicate: The report frames the goal as a "10 out of 10" communication experience, a score only 13% of employees currently give their companies. These findings reveal a chasm between leadership and the workforce, with employees tired of "distant leadership" and feeling unheard—as barely half believe their organization acts on their feedback.
The era of top-down corporate broadcasting is over. To build trust and a connected culture, internal comms must shift from a simple information firehose to a strategic function centered on authentic, two-way dialogue about topics that matter to employees' lives. The report's findings are part of a larger conversation about the future of corporate communication. Some experts argue that the challenges highlighted by the study show why internal comms needs a completely new operating model to be effective.
