Author: Mary Budgell
The 2026 Employee Communications Reportoffers a fresh, data-backed perspective on how organizations can strengthen communication to better connect with their people and prepare for what comes next.
The report draws on findings from the State of the Sector 2025/2026 survey, reflecting the experiences of more than 1,300 communication and HR professionals across 40 countries. This global input makes the report a valuable benchmark for leaders who want to better understand the forces shaping employee communications today.
At the heart of the report is the concept of the Readiness Gap. This is the growing gap between the communication risks organizations face and the capabilities they have in place to respond effectively. Gallagher's research shows that while many organizations recognize the strategic importance of communication, far fewer have the structure, governance and tools needed to deliver it with consistency and impact.
What's in this year's report?
One of the report's strongest findings is that strategic maturity matters. While 73 percent of organizations say they want to operate as strategic consultancies, only 18 percent say that reflects their current reality. Teams with a clear, codified and well understood communication strategy are more likely to reduce risk, improve outcomes and increase their influence across the business. The message is clear. Communication performs best when it's treated as a strategic function, not simply a delivery channel.
The report also highlights the communication pressures many employers are facing today. Audience burnout is identified as the top risk, alongside information overload and declining trust in leadership. The findings show that high communication volume does not automatically create clarity. In many cases, it has the opposite effect. For organizations focused on engagement and alignment, this makes relevance, clarity and credibility more important than ever.
