The majority of American workers rate their employers' reputations favorably, with more than two-thirds of employed Americans rating their employer's reputation as good (67 percent). Another quarter feel their company has a neutral reputation (25 percent) while just 2 percent see their employers as having a bad reputation.

Moreover, seven in ten (69 percent) working Americans feeling the best years are ahead for their company. Not surprisingly, those who view their company as having a good reputation are more likely than those assigning a neutral reputation to believe the best years are ahead (76 percent vs. 54 percent, respectively).

The findings come from a Harris Poll that examines the relationship between effective employee communications and perceptions of their employer's reputation. Engaged employees are more likely to both say their company has a good reputation and that their company's best years are yet to come.

Those who feel their company effectively communicates information of value to employees are more than twice as likely as those who don't to rate their company's reputation as good (76 percent vs. 36 percent, respectively). Similarly, employees of effective communicators are more likely to believe the best years are ahead for their employer (75 percent vs. 47 percent, respectively).

"The reputational impact of effective internal communications is clear," says Carol Gstalder, SVP of the reputation management and public relations practice for Harris Poll, "and the role of managers is vital."

 

Employees look first to their manager to obtain the information they need to do their jobs, the company says. Effective managers share important company information in ways that resonate with their staffs, motivating them to achieve company goals. But only one-third (33 percent) of managers strongly agree they are a primary communicator to employees and 47 percent strongly agree they are well trained and prepared to communicate news and information to employees.