Getting up and going to work every day is harder when you don't see your occupation as a career. Nearly three-in-five (58 per cent) Canadian workers feel that they have "just a job" as opposed to a career (42 per cent). The national survey
was conducted online in November through December of 2013 by Harris Poll on behalf of Careerbuilder.ca and included a representative sample of 426 full-time, private sector employees across industries and company sizes.
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Nearly a quarter (23 per cent) of Canadian workers say they plan to change jobs this year, up from 17 per cent last year. What is driving workers to explore other possibilities?
Employee satisfaction may be one cause. Job satisfaction matters to most (88 per cent) Canadian workers, yet one in five (18 per cent) employees say they are dissatisfied with their job, up from 15 per cent last year. Still, 57 per cent are satisfied with their current jobs, mostly because of their coworkers, benefits and work/life balance.
Those who reported being dissatisfied with their job most frequently cited the following concerns:
- Don't feel valued, I feel like just a number – 61 per cent
- My salary – 56 per cent
- I don't like my boss – 43 per cent
- Inability to make a difference – 33 per cent
- No training/learning opportunities – 31 per cent
- I don't have a good work/life balance – 27 per cent
- I don't feel challenged – 26 per cent
Those who are satisfied cited the following reasons:
- I like the people I work with – 80 per cent
- Benefits – 62 per cent
- I have a good work/life balance – 58 per cent
- I like my boss – 54 per cent
- I feel valued/my accomplishments are recognized – 48 per cent
- My salary – 42 per cent
"Offering frequent recognition, merit bonuses, training programs and clearly defined career paths are important ways to show workers what they mean to the company," said Mark Bania, Sr. Career Advisor of CareerBuilder Canada. "With new positions constantly being added across Canada each month that are enticing workers to change jobs, now is the time for employers to look at their recruitment strategies and make adjustments so their top talent doesn't jump ship."
Improve Retention
Employers looking to reduce employee turnover would do well to listen to their employees' opinions. Canadian employees were asked what they considered to be the best way for employers to increase retention. Besides just raising salaries (74 per cent), top responses included:
- Increase employee recognition (rewards, cash prizes, company trips) – 56 per cent
- Increase benefits – 55 per cent
- Ask employees what changes they want to see and put feedback into action – 52 per cent
- Provide flexible work schedules – 51 per cent
- Increase training/learning opportunities – 40 per cent
- Provide special perks (free lunches, concierge services, game room, etc.) – 32 per cent
