2023 National Trends | Robert Half

Talent shortages a major obstacle for employers

Job vacancies hover near a record high. There simply isn’t enough skilled talent to go around.
Inflation, war in Europe, worries of a recession and other uncertainties continue to cause unease in the marketplace, but starting salaries are still trending upward with workers pushing compensation expectations to new heights.
Remote work, which began as a business necessity at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, is evolving into a recruitment and retention strategy.
53% of workers say they would quit rather than return to the office full time. On average, they want to work remotely three days a week.

4 Tips for Hiring in a Tight Labour Market

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of hiring managers say it’s challenging to find skilled professionals today.

Key reasons workers plan to look for a new job

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Insufficient salary

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Limited growth potential

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No long-term remote work options

Hire Talent

Find Your Next Job

’No point in hiring without strong retention’

Quitting a job and finding a new one is easier than ever. With the growth in remote work, job seekers can locate opportunities in distant markets.
31% of workers are looking or plan to look for a new role.
Employers who don’t offer competitive compensation and flexible work arrangements risk losing top talent. “There’s no point in hiring without strong retention,” says a Robert Half recruiter.

How senior managers retain employees

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Increasing compensation

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Allowing employees to work remotely

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Allowing flexible work schedules

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Easing workloads by bringing in contract talent

How firms use location in setting remote worker pay

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By employee location32%
By employer location32%
Location is irrelevant24%
Only hiring locally12%

Pay equity issues emerge

Pay compression — when new hires make more than current staff doing the same job — is creating retention challenges.
57% of execs who have observed pay compression are addressing the issue by benchmarking salaries and giving raises to those who are underpaid.

14 Effective Employee Retention Strategies

More investment in employee-centric programs

Employees and job seekers are attracted to a company culture that aligns with their personal values.
Organizations are doing their best to accommodate the full scope of workers’ needs, including health and wellness.
“Employees need to feel like companies care,” says a Robert Half recruiter. “My advice is to wrap your arms around your people.”

Sources

Data referenced in this Salary Guide is based on online surveys developed by Robert Half and conducted by independent research firms. Respondents included executives, senior managers and employees from small (20-249 employees), mid-size (250-499 employees) and large (500-plus employees) private, publicly listed and public sector organizations across Canada.