Most Canadian employers expect to grow their businesses in 2015 but intend to do so without boosting head count, according to the Hays Canada Salary Guide.
Optimism and progress outlook among employers has never been higher, but these sentiments are not shared by their staff, for whom sinking morale, burnout and stress-related absences have spiked. The report suggests hitting aggressive 2015 business targets could be seriously undermined if current staff are made to bear the burden.
The survey finds 70% of Canadian companies anticipate increasing business activity in the coming months. Nevertheless, only 38% of employers intend to add head count during the same period.
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One-third also admit that their own lack of professional development programs contribute to a shortage of talent. The inability to find qualified help puts pressure on existing teams—31% report spikes in employee stress leaves, and 34% say staff morale has declined.
“Looking at the results this year, we have to ask ourselves whether employers are asking too much from their people in a quest to improve productivity and profitability,” says Rowan O’Grady, president of Hays Canada.
Adding to this concern is the fact that nearly 40% of employers believe that the absence of training and professional development is the reason for the skills shortage in their industry, he adds. “Employers should be investing in skills development, recruitment and succession planning to keep pace with their ambitions.”
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Employers acknowledge that many of the factors that impact the talent issue are within their control. Thirty-five percent feel they have a responsibility to boost numbers of qualified graduates by promoting themselves and their industries at the post-secondary level.
Equally important is succession planning. Few employers (12%) say they are preparing for the future with active succession and knowledge transfer plans. With respect to salaries as a talent enticement, half say they’re unsure if what they offer applicants is on par with the market average.
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Despite unpredictable markets worldwide, responses from Canada’s employers show that just under a third (32%) of employers plan to increase salaries by up to 6% in 2015, and half (49%) believe that the country’s economy will continue to strengthen throughout the next six to 12 months. This level of optimism is at its highest point in five years and signifies a 15-point jump from its lowest levels in 2011.
A version of this story originally appeared on our sister site, Advisor.ca.