New York, NY (March 25, 2025) – The Institute for Public Relations (IPR) and The Grossman Group have launched a new study, “Engagement at Work: Exploring Employee Engagement, Retention, and Belonging in the Communications Industry.” The report examines engagement levels, workplace trust, and the evolving needs of the public relations workforce based on insights from more than 300 public relations and communications professionals. The report also offers recommendations for improving engagement, retention, and belonging.
According to the report, 89% of communicators say they are engaged at work, yet more than one-third express dissatisfaction with advancement opportunities. While professional development opportunities and a sense of belonging emerged as key drivers of engagement, dissatisfaction regarding advancement opportunities, resource constraints, and unclear feedback loops signal urgent areas for improvement.
“Engagement is increasingly essential as communications teams adapt to workplace changes, evolving digital tools, and more,” said Olivia Fajardo, Director of Research at the Institute for Public Relations. “This report provides organizations with data-driven strategies to enhance workplace culture, reduce turnover, and proactively address issues like burnout, giving them a competitive edge in attracting and retaining top talent.”
Some key findings include:
- Positive Supervisor-Employee Relationships Benefit Satisfaction and Engagement: Employees with strong, ethical, and communicative supervisors reported higher levels of satisfaction and engagement. However, only 66% felt comfortable sharing feedback without fear of negative consequences, indicating a need to improve workplace psychological safety.
- Flexibility Enhances Engagement and Trust in Employer: Employees prefer hybrid or remote work setups, with scheduling flexibility serving as a significant driver of engagement. Most highly engaged employees reported satisfaction with their work location and schedule flexibility, and employees who said their schedule was flexible were also more likely to recommend their organization as a “trustworthy” employer.
- Leaders are Not Effectively Communicating their Vision for the Future: Only 24% of communicators strongly agreed that their leadership effectively communicated their vision for the future of the organization. In fact, 32% either were neutral or disagreed that leadership communicated their vision for the organization effectively, marking a significant opportunity for improvement.
- Some Organizational Processes Lack Clarity and Efficiency: Only 19% of communicators agreed that their organization had clear processes to minimize unnecessary work, while 58% disagreed. Snags from this inefficiency may also be compounded by the perception that workloads are increasing; 60% said they anticipate their workload would increase over the next year.
“The research confirms that investment in professional development drives engagement,” said David Grossman, founder and CEO of The Grossman Group, a consulting firm focused on internal and leadership communications. “Communicators who have regular conversations about their progress and feel encouraged in their development report significantly higher engagement levels. Yet only 44% say their feedback leads to action – a clear call for better two-way communication between leaders and teams.”
To view the full report, click here.
About the Institute for Public Relations
The Institute for Public Relations is an independent, nonprofit research foundation dedicated to fostering greater use of research and research-based knowledge in corporate communication and the public relations practice. IPR is dedicated to the science beneath the art of public relations.® IPR provides timely insights and applied intelligence that professionals can put to immediate use. All research, including a weekly research letter, is available for free at instituteforpr.org.
About The Grossman Group
The Grossman Group is an award-winning Chicago-based leadership and communications consultancy that focuses on organizational consulting, strategic leadership development, and internal communication. A certified diversity supplier, The Grossman Group works closely with Fortune 500 companies and other organizations, including Forvis Mazars, Grubhub, Lockheed Martin, Newmont, Stanley Black & Decker, and The Smithsonian Institute.