According to the latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey, Canadian employers continue to expect a moderate hiring pace over the next three months. 

The survey of over 1,300 employers across Canada reveals that 15% plan to increase their staffing levels in the second quarter of 2021, while 4% anticipate cutbacks. Meanwhile, 77% of the employers surveyed expect their current staffing levels to remain unchanged, while the remaining 4% are unsure of their hiring intentions.

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, 22% of employers have decreased the number of full-time workers they employ, 10% have increased, while 67% have maintained the same number. 19% of employers have decreased the number of part-time workers they employ, 8% have increased, while 61% have maintained the same number. Organizations that employ contractors/consultants, temporary workers, or gig/freelance workers have largely maintained the same number of these employees (59-68%).

Once a Covid-19 vaccine is publicly available in Canada, 41% of employers report having no plans to introduce a fixed policy on employee vaccination, but rather plan to leave it up to individuals to decide for themselves. 27% plan to urge vaccination by highlighting its benefits, without mandating it. 8% of employers surveyed plan to require that all employees must be vaccinated.

50 per cent of employers surveyed report that in the next six to 12 months, the majority of their workforce will work all or most of the time in the workplace, while 33% expect a mix of remote and workplace-based working. 6% say the majority of their workforce will work remotely all or most of the time.