2024 Canada Market Outlook

Across major markets, the demand for skilled talent still outpaces the supply of candidates, especially in professions like finance, accounting and technology. While some employers are taking longer to make hiring decisions, most companies (63%) are planning to expand payrolls, according to Robert Half’s research. That’s good news for the 40% of workers across professional fields who say their department is understaffed.

But among managers who want to hire, 92% say they face challenges finding and attracting skilled talent. This, along with retention concerns, is prompting hiring managers to stay closely attuned to trends in salaries, benefits and perks, and employees’ preference for flexible work arrangements.

Workers expect pay transparency

Half of the candidates in a Robert Half survey expect companies to disclose salary ranges in the job posting.

Nearly two-thirds (63%) say they would take themselves out of consideration for a role if an employer declines to provide salary information on request.

More than one-third (35%) of hiring managers report an uptick in job candidates who ask to negotiate compensation packages.

say it helps attract skilled candidates.

say it saves time in the interview process.

Hiring process frustrations: employers vs. candidates

Significant percentages of employers and job seekers lament that the hiring process takes too long.

39% of job seekers say they weren’t offered a pay package in line with expectations, while 40% of managers say increasing compensation is a key recruiting strategy.

Other frustrations cited by employers or candidates include poor suitability for company culture, inadequate communication and lack of pay transparency.

Finding available
candidates with the
required skill sets Finding candidates
who’ll thrive in
company’s culture Hiring quickly
enough to land
the best talent Meeting candidates’
salary expectations Finding available
candidates with the
required skill sets Finding candidates
who’ll thrive in
company’s culture Hiring quickly
enough to land
the best talent Meeting candidates’
salary expectations

Lack of
transparency about
pay and benefits Lengthy and
complicated
interview process Compensation
package not in line
with expectations Lack of
communication
from recruiters Lack of
transparency about
pay and benefits Lengthy and
complicated
interview process Compensation
package not in line
with expectations Lack of
communication
from recruiters

Workers want flexible work options

Even as more firms ask workers to return to the office, 43% of candidates say they look for mention of flexible schedules and remote and hybrid work options when deciding whether to apply for a job.

More than half (54%) of managers say the ideal work arrangement for their team is a hybrid model where employees are in the office some days of the week and at home other days. 49% of workers agree.

But many employers recognize they may have to offer fully remote options to recruit certain professionals in high demand and retain valued staff.

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Increase starting
salaries Consider
talent for
remote roles Add new
perks and
benefits Offer remote
and hybrid
work options Increase paid
time off Loosen
education,
skills requirements Offer signing
bonuses Increase starting
salaries Consider
talent for
remote roles Add new
perks and
benefits Offer remote
and hybrid
work options Increase paid
time off Loosen
education,
skills requirements Offer signing
bonuses

of hiring managers say their company plans to increase the use of contract professionals.

Non-salary data referenced in this Salary Guide is based on online surveys developed by Robert Half and conducted by independent research firms. Respondents included hiring managers and employees from small (less than $50 million in revenues), midsize ($50 million to $1 billion) and large ($1 billion or greater) private, publicly listed and public sector organizations across Canada.

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