Work-life balance surpasses salary as top motivator for Canadian workers
While many Canadian workers welcome the chance to return to their offices, others want to stay with remote work or use a hybrid model. No matter where they work, Canadians increasingly value work-life balance. istock.com
Employers responding to shifting employee priorities and values
The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to ripple through all facets of Canadian life, including the economy, technology and social norms. Transformation has also been dramatic for Canadian workers in terms of where and how they work, as well as their values and motivators related to their employment.
A new study by ADP Canada and Maru Public Opinion* provides evidence that the pandemic has led many Canadian workers to re-examine their priorities as they map out job and career plans. While salary and benefits historically top the list of incentives for current and prospective employees, the survey found that a new priority has risen to the top: work-life balance.
When asked to compare their current priorities to those before the pandemic, 31 per cent of working Canadians say that a job that respects their work-life balance is more important to them now, compared to only 20 per cent who felt salary had become more important.
“Work and life are not independent entities fighting for a 50/50 balance. To attract and retain employees, companies need to acknowledge work and life are intertwined, with one affecting the other.”
This focus on work-life balance was even more apparent when it came to remote workers, with 39 per cent saying work-life balance is more important to them now than pre-pandemic. Canadians aged 35 to 54 also felt this way, with 42 per cent putting work-life balance at the top of the list, compared to 37 per cent of respondents aged 18 to 34 and 38 per cent of respondents aged 55 or older.
“The data shows there has been a significant shift in what working Canadians value within their current workplace, and what they’re looking for from future employers,” says Heather Haslam, vice president, marketing, ADP Canada. “For what appears to be the first time ever, more and more Canadians – especially those who work remotely – are prioritizing work-life balance over salary.”
Remote work: From short-term solution to expectation
The transition to remote work in many industries was one of the early stories of the pandemic. In the beginning, many expected it would be a short-term solution; however, two years on, working remotely has become a new way of life for many Canadian employees and an expectation for new candidates.
According to the survey, nine out of 10 remote workers hope to continue working remotely some or all days during the week, citing work-life balance as the most important reason.
The pandemic has also affected how working Canadians feel about their industry or current position. According to the survey, 15 per cent of employed Canadians voluntarily transitioned to a new position or new industry, or left the workforce altogether, during the pandemic. Among just remote workers, that number grew to 22 per cent.
Those who moved to a job in a new industry cited the following top three reasons: changes to their personal lives (33 per cent); the need to limit workload and stress (29 per cent); and a desire for more flexible hours (28 per cent). These findings underscore that work-life balance played a key role in their decision to change.
Younger Canadians were the most likely to report transitioning to a new industry during the pandemic. Among the 18 to 34 age group, 13 per cent made such a shift, compared to only three per cent of those aged 35 to 54.
Employers adjusting recruitment strategies
This prioritization of work-life balance also appears to be influencing how companies recruit new talent.
According to the survey, one in five (19 per cent) employed Canadians had been approached by a competing employer in the previous six months offering better work conditions – and this strategy appears to be working. When asked about what might be next in terms of one’s career path, 63 per cent of Canadians have started to think about leaving their current role.
As to what they’re looking for in a new role, work-life balance topped the list once again, with one-third (32 per cent) of working Canadians stating that an organization that respects their work-life balance is most important to them when they’re looking for a new job. This was followed by salary at 25 per cent.
“This data draws a clear picture of what working Canadians are looking for, and what workplaces should be prioritizing as we move forward,” says Ms. Haslam.
“Work and life are not independent entities fighting for a 50/50 balance. To attract and retain employees, companies need to acknowledge work and life are intertwined, with one affecting the other. As the world of work continues to evolve, embracing the post-pandemic workplace requires employers to be agile, embrace flexibility and actively listen to employees.”
To view this report on The Globe's website, visit globeandmail.com
To view the full report as it appeared in The Globe's print edition: Preparing the workforce of the future
