A new global survey by the Institute for Public Relations (IPR) and Peppercomm has revealed that staff and health being is firmly on the agenda amid the Covid-19 pandemic, despite a decline in diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) communication and focus.
IPR’s survey also reveals that employee engagement and collaboration have increased worldwide since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, According to the survey of senior leaders and communication executives, employee engagement has increased by 63% and collaboration has risen by 58%, during the crisis.
RISING TRUST
Leaders reported that employee trust (49%) and satisfaction (32%) has also increased at their companies amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. However, feedback on productivity varied. Only 25% companies reported an increase in productivity, while 40% of employers said that it has declined. The survey also indicates that DE&I is not a top priority for many executives, with only 19% of companies communicating information focused on DE&I to their employees.
On a more positive note, health and wellbeing is clearly a focus with two-thirds of communication leaders confirming that they have been sending their employees information about their physical (70%) and mental health (65%). That said, the top four topics of information for staff, prioritised ahead of heath and wellbeing, include safety guidelines (84%), Covid-19 updates (79%), new organisational policies and procedures (75%) and work from home guidelines (74%).
CRITICAL COMMUNICATION EFFORTS
The survey, which polled 403 communication executives and senior leaders, analysed how the pandemic has impacted the workforce. Overall, communication executives reported that their function is a critical component of their company’s internal crisis response, with only 5% reporting being uninvolved. Around 90% said their company’s leadership has handled the COVID-19 crisis effectively, with three-quarters confirming that the CEO is “very involved” with internal communications.
“With lives at stake, companies had to ramp up their communication efforts significantly and quickly, including being flexible and introducing new tools at a rapid rate for a wide range of employees,” stated IPR’s President and CEO Tina McCorkindale. “Companies also appear to be more empathetic toward workers who are stressed, many of whom are living in highly uncertain times while juggling multiple responsibilities.”
The top methods that communication executives are using to track results of their internal communication efforts or get employee feedback are through informal listening tools/methods (such as check-ins, web visits, email open-rates and HR feedback).
Check out the full report here.
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