Charity communication professionals were on average better paid and better valued by their colleagues in 2020 compared to 2019, according to a benchmarking report.
The 2020 Salary and Organisational Culture Report from CharityComms and Charity People says the average salary rose by 6% to £38,602, compared to last year. There was also a 10% increase in those who feel that others' perception of the value of their role has increased, with nearly two thirds of respondents feeling more valued.
Findings are based on data from 406 charity communicators who responded to the 2020 sector survey and existing data from charity communications job roles posted on CharityComms’ jobs board from May 2019 to May 2020.
However, the survey found men still earn more than women. Respondents also raised concerns about how well harassment policies were being implemented.
Experiences of harassment
Most respondents said they had not witnessed or experienced any harassment. One fifth of respondents said they had experienced harassment, this is a slight increase on the previous year.
Almost £7,000 average wage gap
While women made up 82% of survey respondents, on average they earn less than men.
The average salary for men was £44,371 and £37,431 for women.
The number of those stating that their highest academic qualification was a bachelors degree fell by 3.4% to 53.2%. A further 37% of respondents said they had a postgraduate diploma or a masters degree. Just 4.2% said their highest level of academic qualification was A-Levels.
Working patterns
Most respondents are working more hours and would like to retain the ability to work from home.
Just over half the respondents say they are now working three or more hours extra per week. While for 21% the increase is six hours or more.
Some 72% say one of the reasons is a continuation of stretched resources and not necessarily due to Covid-19. But nearly half (45%) of respondents who are now working longer hours named the pandemic as one of the reasons, with 15.5% stating the need to cover the work of those on furlough and 12.3% citing team reductions due to redundancies.
Meanwhile 55% of charity communicators expressed a wish to keep working from home between one and three days a week.
Participants also suggested there is an opportunity for the sector to adapt to the needs of its workforce and address concerns around additional working hours and the detrimental effect they have on mental health.
Adeela Warley, chief executive at CharityComms, said: “The Covid-19 crisis has brought huge challenges to the sector, not least how to support and empower communications teams who have been working flat out to champion causes and find ways to engage and inspire their audiences.
“Our survey provides timely insights to help create fair, transparent pay structures and working cultures which help comms professionals feel understood, valued and invested in.”
Related articles
Kate Bines: Why your board should be part of your comms strategy
Kate Bines sets out her five-point plan for engaging trustees in communications strategy
