London,
15
July
2020
|
08:32
Europe/London

Public relations “out of step” with views of general public on social mobility – CIPR State of the Profession 2020

Public relations practitioners hold views on social mobility that are both inconsistent and at odds with most public opinion, according to figures published today in the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR)'s State of the Profession report. The findings suggest that the profession is as far away as ever from its aspiration to reflect the stakeholder groups it works with.

The report (below) – delivered in partnership with Chalkstream - reveals 37% of PR practitioners think family background has a positive impact on one's career, a belief shared by only 20% of the wider public. Another 40% in PR believe one’s background has no impact on where they end up, compared to 60% of the public who are of this view. In other words, the impact of family background appears to hold greater significance to people working in PR.  

This might suggest that PR practitioners believe success is mainly determined by background, but in fact they are in fact more likely than the public to believe that everyone has a fair chance to go as far as their talent and hard work will take them (41% vs. 35%) and much less likely to think that where you end up is mainly determined by your background  (29% of PR practitioners, 44% of the public). 

Within the PR sector itself there is a clear split between those on higher salaries - who are more likely to believe that everyone has a fair chance to go as far as their talent and hard work will take them - compared to those who earn less, who are less likely to think this.

Gender pay gap shrinking

The report also reveals the profession has collectively reduced its gender pay gap by 46% since 2018. After regression analysis the gap between men and women now stands at £3,658. Among practitioners with up to four years' experience, women now earn £1,687 on average more than men. 

However, the pay gap widens with experience with women in Directors, Partners and Managing Directors roles earning over £19,000 less than males in equivalent roles. There are also pay gap differences between organisation types – women in not-for-profits and NGOs earn an average of £3,600 more than men, whereas the pay gap in agencies and consultancies is over £20,000 in favour of men.  

Other key findings from the report include: 

  • Average incomes fall slightly by just under £1,000.

  • Media relations falls out of the top three most commonly identified activities for the first time.  

  • The profession is still failing to show substantial progress on addressing the lack of ethnic diversity within the profession - more than nine in ten are still white.  

  • The majority of practitioners feel part of a professional community. 

  • The top two challenges facing the profession are now identified as the under representation of PR at board level and not being seen as a professional discipline.

The survey captured data from before the Covid-19 pandemic but highlights an increasingly professional community serious about continuous professional development, interested in becoming chartered, and recognising the benefits of what being part of a professional body can deliver.

 
CIPR President, Jenni Field Chart.PR, FCIPR
This year’s State of the Profession survey reveals little or slow progress in many of the challenges that have long been identified – most notably in the lack of diversity within the profession – but some positive developments in other areas. We appear to be realising our ambitions of becoming more strategic with more practitioners identifying the need to demonstrate their commitment to professionalism. 

However, although the survey highlights the majority of those working in PR might believe everyone has a fair chance to go as far as their talent and hard work will take them, the fact remains we are an overwhelmingly white profession and we know from the 2019 study that the profession is made up of 28% who were educated at fee paying schools. Those practitioners earn £12,000 more per year, on average, than their fellow practitioners who attend state schools. Indeed, this year’s survey shows many in the profession recognise the advantages their privileged backgrounds have provided. 

Positively, we have a profession that, to most within it, feels like a community. That’s not by accident and, in the challenging times we have been experiencing, that becomes a lot more than a just a feeling. We should also recognise the efforts to reduce the gender pay gap. We’re not there yet, and there is still much to be done in certain areas of the industry – but I’m delighted to see that figure getting smaller.

I’m most pleased to see a continued drive towards practitioners evidencing their professionalism. The impact of the pandemic will be felt throughout the profession, but this provides hope and assurances of a resilience which will help us to come back stronger.  
CIPR President, Jenni Field Chart.PR, FCIPR
  • Download the State of the Profession report, and previous reports, here.
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About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations

Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the world's only Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners with nearly 10,000 members.

The CIPR advances professionalism in public relations by making its members accountable to their employers and the public through a code of conduct and searchable public register, setting standards through training, qualifications, awards and the production of best practice and skills guidance, facilitating Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and awarding Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status (Chart.PR).