[Canada] Younger workers value benefits and workplace policies over higher wages

New research has found that young Canadian workers aged 18 to 29 prioritise workplace benefits and policies over higher wages when choosing employment, HR Reporter reports.

The new study - published in the BMC Public Health journal - revealed that these young workers (YW) value attributes such as extended health insurance, paid vacation and workplace respect policies more highly than salary increases.

A report on the study said, “The findings suggest that health and wellbeing are highly valued by YW and are among key drivers of employment preferences for Canadian YW during and after the pandemic, and therefore call for policies in the workplace that support the health and well-being of YW.”

Its findings mirror broader workforce trends, particularly among Generation Z workers. The study cites a Randstad Canada report which states that “80% of Gen Z young people prioritize finding a job that aligns with their values and interests”.

The preference is reportedly particularly pronounced among Black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC) respondents, who highly value paid vacation, with a willingness to pay (WTP) of up to $3.71 per hour for 21 paid vacation days per year, the University of Manitoba study found.

According to the researchers, this may be due to the overrepresentation of BIPOC individuals in frontline and essential jobs during the pandemic; exposing them to higher levels of workplace stress and health risks.

Source: HR Reporter

(Link and quote via original reporting)

New research has found that young Canadian workers aged 18 to 29 prioritise workplace benefits and policies over higher wages when choosing employment, HR Reporter reports.

The new study - published in the BMC Public Health journal - revealed that these young workers (YW) value attributes such as extended health insurance, paid vacation and workplace respect policies more highly than salary increases.

A report on the study said, “The findings suggest that health and wellbeing are highly valued by YW and are among key drivers of employment preferences for Canadian YW during and after the pandemic, and therefore call for policies in the workplace that support the health and well-being of YW.”

Its findings mirror broader workforce trends, particularly among Generation Z workers. The study cites a Randstad Canada report which states that “80% of Gen Z young people prioritize finding a job that aligns with their values and interests”.

The preference is reportedly particularly pronounced among Black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC) respondents, who highly value paid vacation, with a willingness to pay (WTP) of up to $3.71 per hour for 21 paid vacation days per year, the University of Manitoba study found.

According to the researchers, this may be due to the overrepresentation of BIPOC individuals in frontline and essential jobs during the pandemic; exposing them to higher levels of workplace stress and health risks.

Source: HR Reporter

(Link and quote via original reporting)