A new global study from Gallagher reveals a significant disconnect between the importance organizations place on change communication and the strategies they use to support it. According to Gallagher’s 2026 Employee Communications Report, 61% of organizations lack a formal change communication strategy—even though change management is now considered the most critical communications capability by HR and internal communications teams.
The report draws insights from more than 1,300 HR and communications professionals across 40 countries, highlighting how organizations are struggling to manage communication effectively in a fast-evolving business environment. One of the most pressing challenges identified is information overload. Roughly 83% of respondents believe employees are receiving too much information, yet many companies continue increasing message volume in an attempt to keep staff informed. Gallagher’s research suggests this approach can backfire: in workplaces with heavy communication traffic, trust in leadership can decline by 30%, while burnout risk rises by 24%.
Limited resources further complicate the issue. Nearly 69% of organizations operate with fewer than six communications professionals regardless of company size, leaving small teams responsible for engaging workforces that may span thousands of employees. Budget constraints add another barrier, with one in five companies allocating less than $20,000 annually to internal communications—and one-third reporting no dedicated budget at all.
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The study also highlights gaps in Employee Value Proposition (EVP) adoption. Although many organizations view EVP as a strategic priority, only 15% have successfully embedded it into daily communications. More than a third of companies still lack a formal EVP entirely. The research also found that desk-based companies are three times more likely than frontline organizations to have a clearly understood EVP, with in-person town halls proving especially effective for engaging frontline workers.
Gallagher’s report also examines artificial intelligence adoption in internal communications. While many teams are exploring AI tools, most remain in the early stages of implementation, with only 5% reporting fully optimized integration.
William F. Ziebell, Global Chief Executive Officer of Gallagher‘s Benefits & HR Consulting Division said:
“In a fluid business and technological environment, change communication, EVPs and AI tools are high on organizations’ agendas. However, many companies do not have a clear plan for how to deliver on these priorities across the workforce. Without a structured approach, internal teams are increasing their volume, but if every message carries a sense of urgency, employees begin to tune out rather than listen closer. Ultimately, effective communication relies on giving IC and HR teams the resources to deliver the right message at the right time.”
“The value of the human insights cannot be underestimated when seeking to improve engagement. Employees want to know their feedback is being heard and in-person events and townhalls are the best venue for this.”
