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Less than 25 percent of employees are prepared to make the right decisions about benefits, pay and performance management

GLEN ROCK, N.J. (October 14, 2015) – Most employees at large U.S. companies say HR communication doesn’t prepare them to make smart decisions, according to the newly released Human Resources Communication Study.

The first-of-its-kind survey—commissioned by Davis & Company, a leader in employee communication—found that while nearly 100 percent of respondents read or skim HR communication, only 30 percent are happy with communication they receive, and 50 percent feel indifferent.

“The good news is employees care about HR communication,” said Alison Davis, CEO of Davis & Company. “But employees’ needs are not being met. They find HR communication to be too complex and inconvenient. This survey shows us that there is clearly room for improvement.” 

Survey targets employees at large U.S. companies

Davis & Company commissioned the study to understand how employees feel about benefits, compensation and performance management communication.

Among the survey’s surprising findings:

Employees spend time with HR communication

  • 75% say it’s a “good use of their time”
  • Nearly 100% either read every word or skim/browse

HR communication does not meet employees’ needs

  • Only 30% are happy with the communication they receive
  • 50% are indifferent

Employees aren’t getting answers to their questions

  • When employees have questions, they turn to the company intranet, HR representatives and their managers. But only half of employees get the answers they need.

Age, tenure, location and company size impact employees’ satisfaction

  • Employees who work in companies with more than 10,000 people are more frustrated with HR communication
  • Branch/satellite employees are twice as unhappy than at headquarters
  • As employees work for companies longer, or get older, their frustration grows

HR communication does not prepare employees to make decisions about:

  • Compensation: only 25% feel they have the information they need
  • Benefits: only 15%
  • Performance management: 11.5%

Web workshop to discuss survey results and conclusions

On Thursday, October 22, at 1 p.m. (EST), Davis & Company will be hosting a web workshop for HR professionals, “Understand employees’ needs so you can transform HR communication.” The event will unveil the survey results and recommendations on how to overcome the shortcomings identified in the survey. 

About the Human Resources Communication Study 2015

Davis & Company commissioned a first-of-its-kind survey of 1,000 employees from large corporations (minimum of 5,000 employees) in the United States to understand the effectiveness of communication on performance management, benefits and compensation. The online survey was conducted by Brownstone Information Resources and completed in July 2015.  

About Davis & Company

With more than 30 years of experience in employee communications, Davis & Company is an award-winning firm that helps companies reach, engage and motivate employees to achieve business success. Founded in 1984, Davis & Company develops innovative solutions for global and U.S. companies in a wide range of industries.