Almost half (49 per cent) of Canadian employers said they’ve put promotions on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic and, as a result, 61 per cent are worried about staff retention, according to a survey by Robert Half Canada Inc.
The drop in promotions hasn’t gone unnoticed by some employees, as a separate poll from the staffing company found more than a quarter (27 per cent) of Canadian employees surveyed said they feel their careers have stalled due to the pandemic. And this number jumped to 55 per cent for professionals from generation Z (generally defined as those born after 1996).
Read: Gen Z expects fast promotions, diversity and inclusion initiatives: study
Of the respondents, 62 per cent reported feeling stuck when it comes to salary growth and career advancement, while 42 per cent noted feeling stuck with respect to skills development and growing their professional network. Moreover, some professionals shared they’re ready for a career move, as 28 per cent of respondents said they’ve had a shift in perspective due to the coronavirus crisis and want to pursue a more meaningful or fulfilling job.
“Along with significantly changing the hiring landscape for job seekers in Canada, the pandemic has also interfered with employees’ career trajectories,” said David King, Canadian senior district president of Robert Half, in a press release. “As we look toward the future and a more active job market, now is the time for organizations to put programs in place that are designed to retain top talent. This includes specific initiatives that will appeal to younger workers and opportunities for all employees to build skills and advance their careers.”
Read: HR decision-makers concerned with attraction, retention of younger workers: survey