New Study Reveals Widespread Deficiencies in Organizational Communication Practices

A new study conducted by HR.com's HR Research Institute has uncovered significant challenges in employee communication and collaboration across organizations. The research reveals that only 15% of organizations consider themselves to be at the two highest levels of HRRI's communication maturity model, while just 31% of respondents rate the effectiveness of their communication as high or very high. The study aimed to help employers and HR departments understand the state of employee communication and collaboration, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction with current communication practices.

Most organizations rate themselves as mediocre or worse in their workforce communication efforts, indicating a critical need for improvement in this area. The research identified key factors that contribute to successful employee communication in leading organizations, including effective measurement of communication efforts and higher levels of communication maturity. Organizations that are highly successful at employee communication are over 19 times more likely to effectively measure their communication efforts to a high or very high degree. Additionally, these leading organizations are 10 times more likely to be at the highest stage of communication maturity, setting them apart in their ability to foster clear, consistent, and impactful communication across the workforce.

The study also points to gaps in managerial communication as a significant contributor to these problems. Only about half (47%) of respondents agree or strongly agree that managers in their organizations are actively listening. Furthermore, just 35% believe that their managers are well-trained in communication skills, and a mere 28% say managers have access to good communication metrics. Debbie McGrath, Chief Instigator and CEO of HR.com, emphasized the significance of these findings, stating that the data clearly shows communication is a significant challenge for many organizations and there's a critical need for organizations to reassess and strengthen their communication strategies.

The implications of this study are far-reaching for organizations across various industries. Effective communication is crucial for employee engagement, productivity, and overall workplace success. The findings suggest that many organizations may be hindered by poor communication practices, potentially leading to misunderstandings, reduced efficiency, and lower employee satisfaction. To address these challenges, organizations may need to invest in communication training for managers, implement more effective measurement tools for communication efforts, and work towards developing a more mature communication strategy.

The full research report, HR.com's State of Employee Communications and Collaboration 2024-25, is available for free download and offers detailed insights and actionable recommendations for HR professionals looking to improve workforce communication and collaboration. Additionally, a recording of the research webcast presentation, The Winning Formula: Communication + Action = Collaboration, is available for on-demand viewing. As organizations continue to navigate the complexities of modern workplaces, including remote and hybrid work arrangements, effective communication becomes even more critical, serving as a wake-up call for many organizations to reassess and improve their communication strategies to ensure long-term success and employee satisfaction.