Communications are essential to almost every aspect of the work of charities. This digital army, marketing, public relations, and internal communicatingations professionals are at the heart of fundraising And campaign aas good as liaise with staff, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
But evidence emerges that too many associations ignore their role, these professions being marred by poor salaries, notably outside of London.
This leads charities not to hire the best professionals, who leave the sector.
Research shows that Iit is also changing the way charity communicators workwith many outside London seeking remote working options to afford to save on travel costs and access THE better wages appreciated by the workers of the capital.
Here we look at this latest evidence on how charitable communications are affected by low pay and why many charities undervalue this aspect of their organization.
It revealed that pay rates “can vary widely by location, with London continuing to dominate the higher end of the scale”.
Also, this contribution to a lack of diversity in the sector, with so many jobs available only to people from affluent backgrounds who can afford to take a pay cut, compared to roles in the private sector.
“The sector outside of London pays charity communications jobs so low that it is becoming unaffordable to work in this sector, generating even less diversity than already exists,” a charity communications manager said in a great midlands.–charity based.
Low salaries also contribute to feelings of being undervalued among charities’ communications staff. The Charity Comms and Charity People survey found that only about four in ten (42%) charity communicators feel more valued in 2022, compared to 53% feeling more valued the year before.
Despite the cost of living crisis and soaring inflation, the average salary of charity broadcasters has only increased by 1.2%, from £38,909 in 2021 to £39,390 in 2022.
Thinking group Pro Bono Economicrophones predicts that the salaries of charity staff must increase 8.8% from 2021 levels by 2024 to keep pace with inflation.
The absence of salary increases risks leading to an exodus of charitable communicators, Charitable Communications and Charitable Persons investigation warns.
“As the cost of living crisis continues, charities need to understand that they must pay their staff fairly, or risk losing them to the private sector,” said the digital manager of a major charity Londoner. who was questioned.
“We work in our sector because we want to make a difference, but if we cannot afford our basic living expenses, the sector will lose us.
Low wages are also fueling a stay-at-home boom And hybrid wto work among charitable communicators, that had Already been accelerated by COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing in 2020.
Remote work by communicators outside the capital is a useful way for more people to access London wages. This too reduces travel costs, especially in other expensive cities to work and live in.
According to a communications officer for a medium-sized charity in London, “pay drops dramatically outside London, despite the fact that there are expensive cities to work in that areis not London meaning remote jobs Are often the best option for a living wage”.
Charity Comms and Charity People have found that the UK–more than a fifth (22%) of charity communicators work from home full-time.
Satisfaction levels
Aalmost three-quarters (72%) have a positive opinion of their work–life balance, but 85% charitable communicators who work from home say that the social aspects of work in–person.
The survey also highlights that charities underestimate enthusiastic workers, as communicators in the sector work long hours, with 62% working beyond their contractual hours.
Already, more are considering leaving their charity. In 2022, 43% of communicators said they anticipate a career change in the next 12 months. It is up from the previous three years when about 36% were looking to change jobs.
The overwhelming majority (91%) of charity communicators who are considering relocating are considering another in-house role. While 7% are looking to become self-employed and 2% are taking into account the roles of the agency. These proportions are largely on line with the results of the polls of the previous three years.
“I would look for an organization that has adequate resources with clearly defined roles and responsibilitiessaid a digital manager at a major charity, of a potential move.