A new survey shows that pay is no longer the top priority for Canadian employees: they would be willing to compromise on pay for better well-being.
According to a survey by Morneau Shepell of 8,000 people in Canada, the United States, and England, 77% of Canadian employees would be willing to change jobs for better well-being support, even if it meant keeping the same salary. Even if the salary was less attractive, 60% of respondents would still be willing to leave, even among those who say they face high financial stress.
Furthermore, Canadians seem to take mental health most seriously: 76% of them cite their employer's efforts to promote mental health as a determining factor in their willingness to stay in their job, compared to 71% of U.S. respondents and 69% of English respondents.
A consequence of increased stress
If mental health has become such an important factor, surpassing pay as a priority for Canadian employees, it is largely due to stress, caused by work or the work environment for 22% of those surveyed and financial well-being for 21%. According to 45% of employees, the psychological demands of their jobs have increased over the past 18 to 24 months, with situations such as problem-solving, the need to adapt to change, and creativity cited as key factors.
What solutions?
The solutions demanded? Talk therapy for 53% of Canadian employees, a digital mindfulness or meditation program (43%), and skills development or cognitive-behavioral therapy (38%).
Morneau Shepell advises employers to consider this data in their recruitment and retention strategy if they want to attract and retain employees in a context of labor shortage: integrating employees' well-being and mental health requirements would allow them to stand out from the competition and be among the sought-after and appreciated employers.