Employers with the strongest workplace environments tend to make the most investments in workplace and employee initiatives, according to a survey by global public relations and communications firm Burson-Marsteller and global research training firm Great Place to Work.

The research offers an analysis on the perceived return-on-investment employers experience from employee investments, including employee education programs focusing on the brand's mission and values, career development programs and work-life balance programs.

While the economy remains challenging, the survey finds that respondents believe developing and maintaining a good workplace environment positively affects company performance, and workplace spending has either increased at 30 percent or remained the same at 70 percent. Another 95 percent of respondents say external and internal recognition for workplace initiatives positively influences company performance.