1. You are here:
  2. The Institute of Internal Communication
  3. Knowledge Hub
  4. Research and Thought Leadership
  5. IC Index

IC Index

The IC Index 2024 has arrived. We now share the latest IC Index with actionable insights to help you improve internal communication and build trust.

IC Index 2024: Trust Issue

Providing valuable insights into employees' perceptions of internal communication and trust within UK organisations

This comprehensive study underscores the vital connection between effective internal communication and the development of trust in business leaders and within the workplace, particularly amidst rapid technological advancement and organisational change. Based on a representative sample of 4,000 UK workers aged 18–64, surveyed between 6 and 20 March 2024, the findings offer an in-depth look at the employees' perceptions of internal communication and trust within UK organisations.

Over four years have passed since the onset of the pandemic, which underscored the true value of effective communication. The ever-evolving landscape of the workplace and the broader world highlights the critical importance of effective communication in achieving organisational goals and improving work life, especially during times of ongoing change and uncertainty

New technologies, such as artificial intelligence, present opportunities for increased efficiency. However, the growing demand for authenticity and empathy necessitates a careful balance. In this context, trust becomes more critical than ever. While it is well-known that good communication forms the foundation of trust in any relationship, understanding its specific implications in the workplace and quantifying it remains essential.

This study delves into the complex issue of trust in organisations, examining what fosters it, what undermines it, and, most importantly, the role internal communication plays in this dynamic.

Download IC Index 2024

 

IC Index 24 report cover

 

Autumn series IC Index panels with industry experts 

23 September 2024

IC Index Panel - Trust and Leadership

2024’s IC Index is the Trust Issue, so we are beginning the panel events by looking at trust and leadership. We know that good communication is the basis for trust in any relationship, but what exactly does that mean in the context of work and how do we quantify it?

Panel
16 October 2024

IC Index Panel - Activism

2024’s IC Index asks, how do we keep up to date with emerging issues and take advantage of new opportunities, without losing sight of the essential foundations that we’ve spent decades, as internal communicators, building?

Panel
13 November 2024

IC Index Panel - Strategy

2024’s IC Index shows that for employees to trust their leaders, employees must believe in the organisational strategy. In fact, there’s a 35pt jump in belief in the organisational strategy when employees know how they can contribute to it. So what role can internal communicators play in this?

Panel
9 December 2024

IC Index Panel - Change

Join us for the last IC Index panel of the year, where we will be delving a little deeper into the findings that show change is a constant challenge for organisations and its employees.

Panel

 

IC Index 2024 launch video

The IC Index campaign video is proudly produced by our Film Sponsor

Limehouse

 

Key Findings

43% believe their organisation operates in the best interests of employees – the larger the organisation, the lower the belief

 

43% believe their organisation operates in the best interests of employees – the larger the organisation, the lower the belief
68% think their organisation lied about the rationale for bringing people back to the office

 

5/10 agree that their employer takes a clear stance on the big issues in society, but 69% of 25–34-year-olds would like their organisation to do this

 

1/3 would not at all trust a message from their CEO or most senior leader that was developed with AI

 

40% have seen change in the last year and excellent communications yields 93% change positivity

 

35pt jump in belief in the organisational strategy when employees know how they can contribute to it

 

1/3 say more clarity, honesty and listening are the key to improving how change is managed

 

41% of non-managers say they value a manager who supports them when something impacts them personally

 

 IC Index 24 Resource

Members only
IC Index webinar
03 Jul 2024

Webinar: IC Index 2024

In this webinar we heard more about the second edition of the IC Index, with a focus on Trust. This unique research undertaken in partnership between the IoIC and Ipsos Karian & Box, explores the impact of internal communication on UK employees and how we can drive strategic value to organisations.

On Demand

 

CEO prospectives on the IC Index

IoIC CEO Jen Sproul Index 24
As we navigate through constant change and the rise of AI, maintaining trust through authentic and transparent communication has never been more critical. This report provides actionable insights to help organisations enhance their internal communication strategies and build a more trustworthy workplace

Jennifer Sproul, Chief Executive

IoIC

 

 

 

 

 

Louise Breed, CEO Ipsos Karian and Box Index 24
Building trust is a key ask of leaders and communicators, especially in the current context of continuous change and uncertainty. Trust can feel like an abstract thing, but the data and insight in this year's IC Index helps to demystify this complex human topic. The report will help communications professionals understand what really makes a difference, and therefore be able to make decisions confidently and advise leaders effectively.

Louise Breed, Chief Executive

Ipsos Karian and Box

 

 

 

 

 

Why we’re working together

The aim of this study is to identify what employees across the UK want and need from their internal communication function. Similar reports in this field tend to focus on what internal communication practitioners think is important, or what leaders want from their internal communication teams.

We wanted to take a different approach.

First and foremost, this is about the communication experiences and needs of the UK workforce. We have also brought internal communication practitioners together to home in on real industry needs.

The joint approach of IoIC’s practitioners and Ipsos Karian and Box’s research rigour has cemented findings in real data, providing robust insights which organisations can use to build improved internal communication strategies.

By providing a UK-wide employee view of what good communication looks like, we aim to champion internal communication as a business-critical function.

We hope you find this report valuable in helping you shape your organsiation’s current and future internal communication strategy. 

About the IoIC

We are the only professional body solely dedicated to internal communication in the UK.   We help organisations and people succeed through promoting internal communication of the highest standards.

We believe people deserve to feel they matter at work.  Feeling valued, connected and informed directly contributes to higher business performance.

We've been driving standards for over 70 years, by developing and supporting internal communication professionals through our qualifications, training, awards, communities, and thought leadership.  We are the voice for internal communication, driving the agenda and building a movement of passionate, dedicated professionals.

An organisation that communicates well with its people can achieve greater productivity, innovation, reputation, talent attraction and retention. 

About Ipsos Karian and Box

Ipsos Karian and Box is a team of over 130 employee experts at the heart of Ipsos’s global network of research specialists.

We’re one of the fastest-growing agencies in the employee engagement and research sectors and are proud of our reputation for providing insight-driven communication strategies and culture change programmes programmes. We’ve been trusted advisors to some of the biggest and best names for over 16 years, helping to create environments where people and businesses thrive by giving people a better voice at work.

You can find out more about us at www.ipsoskarianandbox.com

Our Principles

The workplace and the way we work are undergoing the most profound transformation in more than a century.

We believe that upholding core principles achieves world-class internal communication, helping people at work to feel more informed, engaged, productive, connected and purposeful. 

Our Principles

 

IC Index 2023 

IoIC_Website_IC Index - Square - Option 1.jpg
05 Jul 2023

IC Index 2023 Report

The aim of this study is to identify what employees across the UK want and need from their internal communication function.

Research
should I stay or should I go 400 x 400.png
08 Nov 2023

Should I Stay or Should I Go? New data from the IC Index 23

We are pleased to release further data from the IC Index, using data gathered from 3,000 UK workers in March this year, this report examines the key push and pull factors that are most important to employees when considering their existing and potential employers.

News
Members only
The IC Index - 16x9-100.jpg
12 Jul 2023

Webinar: The IC Index 2023

Launched on the 5th July, the first ever IC Index - a ground-breaking research study, in partnership with Ipsos Karian and Box, delves into the strategic impact of internal communication on organisations from an employees' perspective. This webinar gave a comprehensive outline of the study’s findings, insights and implications for employers.

On Demand
Cathryn Barnard.jpg
13 Jul 2023

IC Index 2023: Time to make an impact

The IC Index is a first-of-its-kind UK-wide study to understand the role effective internal communication plays in our working lives. Surveying 3,000 employees within organisations of more than 500 staff, researchers found almost two-thirds of respondents felt internal communication makes a positive difference to employee engagement. This, unsurprisingly, has a knock-on effect, yielding higher trust in CEO communication and reduced employee flight risk.

Blog

 Why the IC Index will help drive employee advocacy   

 

 

 

 

Paul Diggins
This research absolutely rings true, both with my experience here and in previous organisations...

Paul Diggins, Head of Internal Communications

Santander

Laura Colantuono, Group Head of Internal Communications
By being visible, leaders foster trust, cultivates a deep sense of belonging, and enable employees to understand the bigger picture...

Laura Colantuono, Group Head of Internal Communications

Fremantle

Internal communications is a critical lever that the most engaging and successful Leaders use to build trust, motivate, inspire, and
drive high performance with their people. The next opportunity for internal communicators is to be relentlessly curious about the Employee Experience people are having from the moment they join to the moment they transition, identifying how to improve the moments that matter, continuously raising the bar for our people.

Sarah Meurer, Vice President Global Communications

Elsevier