Half of Canadian Workers Plan to Look for a New Position in the New Year

Many workers will be eyeing greener pastures in the new year despite economic uncertainty, research from talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half shows.

The firm’s biannual Job Optimism Survey of more than 1,100 professionals in Canada, released on Wednesday indicates half of respondents are currently looking or plan to look for a new role in the first half of 2023, up from 31 per cent six months ago.

Those most likely to make a career move in early 2023 are:

• Gen Z and Millennials (56 per cent)
• Technology professionals (57 per cent)
• Employees who have been with their company for two to four years (61 per cent)
• Working parents (55 per cent)

“Many Canadian workers continue to have confidence in the job market despite news of layoffs and a slowdown in hiring,” said David King, Senior Managing Director, Robert Half, Canada and South America. “Professionals with in-demand skills know they have leverage given the talent shortage, and are open to new opportunities that offer more fulfilling work, a higher salary, and improved perks and benefits.”

The report said increased demand for contract talent may be why nearly three in 10 professionals (29 per cent) are considering quitting their job to pursue a full-time contracting career. Returning to a previous employer is also a consideration with four in 10 professionals willing to go back to a former company if given a salary equal to or higher than their current pay.

For the fourth Job Optimism Survey in a row, money ranked as the top motivator for making a career move, it said, adding that  workers said the main reasons they plan to look for a new job in the first half of 2023 are:

• A higher salary (62 per cent)
• Better benefits and perks (39 per cent)
• Better advancement opportunities (30 per cent)
• Greater flexibility to choose when and where they work (27 per cent)