Future of work

Obviously, the working patterns of Canadians have been heavily impacted by the pandemic. This research explores the experiences, and future expectations, of Canadian workers through the Future of Work in Canada Survey (FWCS). Of the 5,000 Canadians surveyed, only 34% had not worked at home at any point in the pandemic; 37% remain working from home at least part of the time. Remote workers reported a higher rate of job satisfaction and well-being than their non-remote counterparts. Most remote workers reported that they were happy with their job; most did not feel likely to switch careers. The survey also identified some concerns for remote workers regarding access to career advancement, training and mentorship. One concern for both remote and non-remote workers was their low level of input on the post-pandemic plans of their employers. However, those who did feel they had sufficient input reported high satisfaction with their jobs and a lower likelihood of changing jobs if they were to return to the office. The FWCS findings emphasize the need for employers to consider employee input in post-pandemic work plans and to adapt recruitment and retention strategies accordingly.