Employers optimistic about hiring, cautious with pay: Survey
More employers are planning to hire full- and part-time workers in 2010 compared to 2009, according to a recent survey.
The CareerBuilder Canada survey of 255 hiring managers and human resource professionals found 29 per cent of employers plan to hire full-time permanent employees in 2010, up from 18 per cent last year. Also, 18 per cent of employers plan to increase part-time employees in 2010, up from 13 per cent in 2009.
"The Canadian job market had its ups and downs in 2009, but employers are optimistic about hiring in the new year as the economy recovers," said
While employers will ramp up hiring in 2010, they are proceeding with caution when it comes to salary increases, with 50 per cent of employers expecting to raise compensation levels in the next three months, compared to 63 per cent in 2009. Twenty-four per cent estimate the average raise to be three per cent or more, while seven per cent anticipate an average raise of five per cent or more.
When asked which areas will be a priority for employers to hire first in 2010, more 51 per cent of employers pointed to technology positions, while 26 per cent cited customer service positions. Revenue generation will also be a primary focus with 24 per cent of employers reporting they plan to add business development workers first, followed by marketing (21 per cent) and sales (16 per cent).
7 major hiring trends for 2010
1. Replacing low-performing workers: Forty-two per cent of employers plan to hire A-players to replace low performers in 2010.
2. Flexible work arrangements: Forty-three per cent of employers say they plan to provide more flexible work arrangements in 2010, including alternate schedules (72 per cent), telecommuting (55 per cent), compressed workweeks (41 per cent) and summer hours (30 per cent).
3. Rehiring laid-off workers: Of employers who had layoffs in the last 12 months, 29 per cent are planning to bring back some laid-off employees. Looking ahead, 10 per cent plan to bring back workers in the first quarter, while nine per cent plan on doing so in the second quarter. One-quarter of employers also say they cut workers too soon and it ultimately had a negative impact on business.
4. Green jobs: Green jobs are positions that implement environmentally conscious design, policy and technology to improve conservation and sustainability. One in five employers say they plan to add "green jobs" in 2010, compared to 13 per cent in 2009.
5. Recruitment tools: Employers are turning to a mix of hiring vehicles to find the right candidates, including online recruitment sites (29 per cent), staffing firms and recruiters (13 per cent), career fairs (19 per cent), social and professional networking sites (18 per cent) and business and trade magazine ads (five per cent).
6. Freelance or contact hiring: Companies are turning to more freelance or contract workers to help move the business forward, with 48 per cent of employers planning to hire freelancers or contractors in 2010. Thirteen per cent expect to employ more freelancers or contractors than last year, while 18 per cent expect to hire the same amount and 17 per cent plan to hire fewer.
7. Less business travel: Employers will continue to cut back on travel expenses with 52 per cent of reporting there will be less business travel at their organization in 2010 compared to 2009.
