Fears of salary stagnation and workforce reductions are rising among job seekers in Canada as many take on additional work to cope with financial pressures, according to new research that was conducted before U.S. President Donald Trump took office and launched tariffs.
More than half of employed Canadians have worked longer hours or extra shifts in the past year, while nearly one-third have taken on a second job to make ends meet, reveals a recent survey by The Harris Poll commissioned by Express Employment Professionals.
The poll found 41 per cent of job seekers worry they won’t receive deserved salary increases, while 38 per cent are concerned about diminishing work opportunities due to economic conditions.
“The combination of economic uncertainty and workplace dissatisfaction is creating significant pressure on Canadian workers,” said an Express Employment Professionals representative.
Workforce reduction concerns
Job security fears are widespread, with 34 per cent of respondents worried their employer might reduce staff due to the economic climate. An equal percentage fear losing their current job before securing new employment, while 26 per cent are concerned about decreased work hours.
Technological disruption is also becoming a more prominent concern, with nearly one-quarter of respondents expressing worry about artificial intelligence negatively affecting their roles.
Generational divides
The survey revealed notable differences in workplace concerns across age groups.
Generation Z workers show significantly higher anxiety about missed raises than their older colleagues, with 51 per cent expressing this concern compared to 41 per cent of millennials, 38 per cent of Generation X and 31 per cent of baby boomers.
Younger workers also demonstrated greater worry about decreased hours, with 44 per cent of Gen Z respondents expressing this concern versus roughly half that percentage among millennials and Gen X workers.
Conversely, economic climate job losses worried older generations more, with 44 per cent of boomers concerned compared to just 20 per cent of Gen Z respondents.
Satisfaction gaps
The research identified significant disparities between what employees value and their current workplace satisfaction levels.
While 86 per cent of job seekers consider work-life balance essential, only 76 per cent report satisfaction with their current situation. The gap widens regarding salary, where 83 per cent deem it essential but just 62 per cent express satisfaction.
Similar disconnects exist regarding benefits and advancement opportunities, with satisfaction rates trailing importance by 12 and 13 percentage points respectively.
The survey was conducted online among 505 Canadian adults between Nov. 21 and Dec. 6, 2024.
