Almost three-quarters (71 per cent) of Canadian employers feel positive about their hiring outlook over the coming year, virtually unchanged from 2024 (70 per cent), according to a new survey by the Harris Poll on behalf of Express Services Inc.
The survey, which polled more than 500 employers, found half (51 per cent) said they plan to increase their employee count in the first half of 2025, while 41 per cent plan to keep their headcount the same and only eight per cent plan to decrease their workforce.
The primary drivers for increasing headcount include managing increased volumes of work (58 per cent), filling newly-created positions (45 per cent), addressing employee turnover (38 per cent), getting expertise in new areas (26 per cent) and handling expansion into other categories or markets (26 per cent).
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While these drivers remain similar to last year, the survey noted there has been a significant rise in the number of companies that are increasing their employee count to manage work caused by artificial intelligence concerns, from 10 per cent in the first half of 2024 to 18 per cent at the end of the year.
“The positive sentiments among hiring managers highlight a resilient and forward-thinking workforce,” said Bill Stoller, chief executive officer of Express Employment International, in a press release.
“Businesses are strategically positioning themselves for growth, addressing immediate needs like increased workloads and turnover, while also preparing for future challenges such as AI and cybersecurity. The outlook for 2025 is promising, driven by a workforce ready to innovate and adapt.”
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