Three in 10 Canadian workers plan to quit this year

Thirty-one percent of workers are currently looking or plan to look for a new role in the second half of 2022, according to a survey from Robert Half. The HR and recruiting consultancy surveyed more than 500 Canadian workers in May 2022.

The 31% figure is up three points from Robert Half’s previous "Job Optimism" report in December 2021, when 28% of surveyed workers said they planned to look for a new job in the next six months.

The elevated level of quits (“Great Resignation”) appears poised to continue until long-delayed interest rate hikes cool the economy into a recession and job openings decline.

Younger workers (18- to 40-years-old) were much more likely to be looking for new opportunities, at 46%. Eighty percent of workers felt confident about their skill set and marketability.

The main reasons respondents were looking for a new job were a salary boost (58%), opportunities for advancement (37%), and the ability to work remotely permanently (33%).

As firms increasingly bring their employees back into the office, more than half of workers considering a change want to pursue hybrid or remote jobs, at 56% and 51% respectively.

"Companies in Canada continue to face a scarcity of skilled talent," said David King, Canadian senior managing director of Robert Half. "Attracting and hiring candidates is top of mind for many organizations right now as workers explore new job opportunities that offer higher compensation, better perks and benefits, and remote work options."

King notes that companies are attempting to retain valued employees with raises, schedule flexibility, greater advancement opportunities, and employee recognition programs.