Nearly a fifth of workers say pay is falling short of the job
Insufficient compensation was cited by 48% of respondents, followed by a desire for better balance between work and personal life at 40%, and limited opportunities for advancement at 34%. Randstad noted that the reasons vary by demographic: digital talent tends to leave over stalled career growth, while older employees are more likely to depart for salary reasons.
Marie-Eve Robitaille, Division President, Professional Talent Solutions at Randstad Canada, said the underlying drivers of employee satisfaction haven’t shifted much, but the pace at which workers act on dissatisfaction has.
“This year’s data reminds us that the foundation of the employer-employee relationship hasn’t fundamentally changed: workers want to be fairly compensated and able to live their lives outside of work. What has changed is how quickly they act when they feel those needs aren’t being met.” Robitaille said.
Pay and work-life balance both landed as the top priority for candidates weighing an employer, each cited by 66% of respondents. But the emphasis placed on compensation shifts significantly with age. Just 54% of Gen Z respondents ranked salary as a top concern, compared with 77% of baby boomers. Women were also more likely than men to prioritize pay, at 69% versus 62%.
Beyond salary, roughly eight in ten workers placed high value on lifestyle-supporting benefits such as scheduling flexibility, paid time off, and health and wellness offerings, each drawing support from around 82% of respondents. Despite the emphasis on work-life balance as a priority, 63% of workers said their current employer already performs well in that area.
