Canada second-most popular destination for employee relocations: Survey

But fewer workers willing to move for work

Canada second-most popular destination for employee relocations: Survey
The transgender pride (left), pride (centre) and Canada 150 pride flags fly on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on June 14. REUTERS/Chris Wattie

Canada has jumped to second spot among global destinations for employees who are considering moving abroad for employment purposes, according to a survey.

Global employees selected Canada as the second most desirable country to move to, up from the fourth spot in 2012. The United States remained in top spot at 30 per cent of employees polled, down four points since 2012, found the survey by Ipsos Global Public Affairs on behalf of the Canadian Employee Relocation Council (CERC).

Twenty-two per cent of employees selected Canada as the second most desirable nation, up two points since 2012. The United Kingdom ranks third at 19 per cent, down three points since 2012; Australia occupies the fourth spot at 19 per cent, down one point since 2012.

The survey also uncovered a growing reluctance on the part of employees to consider moving for work. Almost two in 10 (18 per cent) of employees in 20 countries said they would be “very likely” to temporarily relocate for up to two years and take a full-time job in another country with a 10 per cent pay increase, down seven points from 2012 (25 per cent).

And 40 per cent of global employees said there is nothing their employer can do to convince them to take an international assignment, an increase of five points versus 2012.

"It is increasingly more challenging and complex for companies to motivate employees to move for work. Balancing the needs of today's modern family, which is very likely comprised of dual-income professionals, children and aging parents, are at times insurmountable," said CERC president and CEO Stephen Cryne.

In Canada, 19 per cent of employees (a similar proportion to findings from the 2012 survey) are “very likely” to relocate, found the survey of 10,091 workers. Four in 10 (39 per cent) said they are “not at all likely” to relocate — significantly more than in 2012 when only 26 per cent said the same.

The majority of global employees were most likely to agree they would only move to a country that is friendly to immigrants.

"The rise in protectionism and opposition to global trade and immigration in some regions are very likely influencing the thinking of employees about moving for employment," said Cryne.

 

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