ROLLING
MEADOWS, Ill., Feb. 25,
2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As companies navigate an
increasingly turbulent external environment, communications and HR
leaders have identified 'change fatigue' as one of the top five
barriers to success, according to Gallagher's 2025 Employee
Communications Report. The report, which drew insights from more
than 2,000 communication and HR leaders across 55 countries, found
that 44% of HR leaders view change fatigue as a key battleground
for success in 2025.
This is the first time that 'change fatigue' was featured on
this list, and its immediate arrival in second place may be related
to another key barrier – a lack of direction from top leaders
(39%).
"Right now, companies across the globe are managing delicate
external challenges, all of which require agile and flexible
communication. Communications and HR leaders agree that change
management is a critical skill in 2025. It's vital that the C-Suite
sets clear direction for communications teams to guide the company
through challenging situations," said William F. Ziebell, CEO of Gallagher's Benefits
& HR Consulting Division.
What are the priorities and barriers for communicators in
2025?
HR leaders are prioritizing initiatives that strengthen
engagement within their organizations, with 67% focusing on
connecting teams to purpose, strategy and values. Improving manager
communications (53%) and boosting leadership visibility (47%) also
rank high, reflecting the growing need for transparent top-down
communication.
However, these ambitions are met with considerable challenges.
Low capacity (49%), change fatigue (44%) and poor people manager
communication (41%) were identified as the most challenging
barriers to success.
Additionally, the report highlights a shift in corporate
attitudes towards properly resourcing internal communications
departments. In the past, HR leaders regularly cited a lack of
budget and resources as a major challenge. That is not the case
this year, with financial limitations dropping out of the top five
barriers entirely. Notably, 12% of respondents said "building a
case for more resources" was not a priority.
"Year after year, communications and HR professionals have
struggled with securing more funds. While it's reassuring to see
that organizations are recognizing communications and HR leaders
and the critical role they play, company leaders must ensure that
both are equipped with agreed messages to address change fatigue
and capacity issues," said Ziebell.
The state of communicators' wellbeing
This year's Employee Communications Report continued to analyze
the wellbeing of communicators. In 2024, wellbeing broadly leveled
out, with only 33% of respondents reporting a decline in their
overall wellbeing, down from 38% the previous year. For many, the
key factors contributing to this drop included strained headcount,
limited budgets and time constraints to complete tasks (39%).
Challenges such as ongoing change and uncertainty (26%) and poor
management or leadership (23%) were other contributors to a growing
sense of frustration and burnout.
On the flip side, the report also found that better working
conditions (23%), getting a new job or working situation (21%) and
benefitting from a good manager (19%) could elevate the mood and
wellbeing of HR leaders.
"Communications and HR leaders are a resilient group
because they need to be," said Ziebell. "In times of rapid
organizational change, it's the internal communications and HR
departments that bear the brunt of a workforce's concerns and
anxieties. Gallagher's aim for the Employee Communications Report
is to provide foundational insights so Communications and HR
professionals can continue to improve the employee experience while
still looking after themselves."
ABOUT THE EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATIONS REPORT
The report is
based on data collected from more than 2,000 respondents across the
world from October to November 2024.
Organizations of all sizes and more than 50 industries
participated. The report highlights Gallagher's consulting
approach, which centers on the full spectrum of organizational
wellbeing by strategically investing in an organization's employee
health, talent, financial security and career growth potential. We
develop benefit and HR programs at the right cost structures to
deliver a better employee experience and support a
multigenerational workforce.
ABOUT GALLAGHER
Arthur J.
Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG), a global insurance
brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm, is
headquartered in Rolling Meadows,
Illinois. Gallagher provides these services in approximately
130 countries around the world through its owned operations and a
network of correspondent brokers and consultants.
Contact:
Mary Schwartz, Gallagher
847.378.5893
mary_schwartz@ajg.com
MEDIA CONTACT
Rostrum
AJGallagher@rostrum.agency
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/change-fatigue-ranks-in-top-five-barriers-to-communications-and-hr-success-for-the-first-time-in-2025-reveals-new-gallagher-report-302382483.html
SOURCE Gallagher
