Does social media improve internal communication?

Published: July 19, 2013
Updated: June 11, 2019

Despite employees’ pervasive personal use of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and other social media platforms, a recent survey found that only about half of employers—56%—use social media to communicate and build community with their workers.

Researchers at Towers Watson, which conducted the survey, found that even among employers that have embraced social media, there’s doubt about whether it works. About 40% said social media helped solidify the bond between the business and employees, but only 23% said it was an effective way to build community among remote workers.

More positively, 73% of surveyed employers said they use instant messaging to stay in touch with employees, and 48% find it an effective way to communicate.

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