50% of Canadians plan to change jobs in 2023, survey finds

Despite recession fears and high inflation rates, a growing number of Canadians are looking to make a career change this year.

According to Robert Half’s biannual Job Optimism Survey, 50 per cent of respondents said they are currently hunting for a new job or plan to begin looking in the first half of 2023.

More than 1,100 professionals participated in the business consulting firm’s latest survey, which was released on Dec. 14.

The findings represent a 19 per cent increase from the company’s survey in June.

“Many Canadian workers continue to have confidence in the job market despite news of layoffs and a slowdown in hiring,” said David King, Senior Managing Director, Robert Half, Canada and South America.

“Professionals with in-demand skills know they have leverage given the talent shortage, and are open to new opportunities that offer more fulfilling work, a higher salary, and improved perks and benefits.”

Who’s most likely to make a career move in early 2023?

Robert Half’s biannual Job Optimism Survey highlighted four groups that are most likely to change jobs in 2023:

• Employees who’ve been with their company for two to four years (61 per cent)
• Technology professionals (57 per cent)
• Gen Z and Millennials (56 per cent)
• Working parents (55 per cent)

What’s motivating Canadians to leave their jobs in 2023?

For the fourth survey in a row, Robert Half noted that compensation remained the top motivator for a career change.

62 per cent of professionals said they are looking to switch jobs in order to obtain a higher salary.

In addition to compensation, Canadians are looking to leave their jobs for:

• Better benefits and perks (39 per cent)
• Better job advancement opportunities (30 per cent)
• Greater flexibility to choose when and where they work (27 per cent)

If you are thinking about changing jobs in 2023, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

SEE ALSO
• Survey: Canadian businesses to keep hiring despite recession fears
• Boomer exodus creating employee-favoured job market: Your rights
• ‘Alberta is Calling’: What to consider before changing jobs

Review your new employment contract carefully

In most cases, non-unionized workers in Canada are required to sign an employment contract before they start a new job.

It’s important to remember that these agreements often take away key protections that would otherwise be available to you.

Your employer might attempt to limit your severance package to a few weeks’ pay, or add a clause that gives them the ability to cut your pay or relocate you.

WATCH: Employment lawyer Lior Samfiru explains the five things workers need to know about employment contracts on an episode of the Employment Law Show.

Before signing a new employment contract, give yourself time to carefully review it.

If you are unsure about anything in the agreement, contact an experienced employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

We can help you better understand the terms of the contract and ensure that your workplace rights are properly protected.

LEARN MORE
• Starting a new job? Here’s how an employment contract could limit your rights
• ’60 days or more’: Is it an enforceable termination clause?
• Can Suncor Energy force me to move from Toronto to Calgary?

Severance pay considerations

Before changing jobs, you should always consider future severance possibilities.

While severance can be as much as 24 months’ pay, compensation is calculated using a number of factors, including:

• Age
• Position at the company
• Length of service
• Ability to find new work

If you quit your current job, you may not be owed severance

You typically don’t get a severance package if you resign from your position voluntarily to take up employment elsewhere.

This is because severance is designed to provide you with financial support while you look for new work after being fired without cause or let go.

However, if you are forced to leave because of unwanted changes to your job, you could file a claim for constructive dismissal, which would allow you to resign and still receive full severance pay.

If you believe that you have been constructively dismissed, don’t quit your job until you speak with an experienced employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

LEARN MORE
• Do I get severance if I quit?
• Severance pay in a recession

The longer you work for a company, the more severance you’re owed

Your length of service with your current employer does affect how much severance pay you are owed if you are fired without cause or let go.

• Example: If you worked at a manufacturing company in Vancouver for 25 years and decide to take a new job in Calgary that you sought out on your own, you forfeit the severance entitlements that you built up with your current employer. As a result, if you are fired without cause or let go shortly after joining the new business, you could receive very little compensation.

Recruited by another company?

The situation changes if you leave your current job after being actively recruited by another company.

If your new employer took documented steps to entice you to take up employment with them, they will inherit your years of service with your previous employer. This is called inducement.

• Example: You worked 13 years for Company A in Toronto. You are recruited by Company B in Ottawa to work for their business at higher pay. If you are fired or let go by Company B three years after they hired you, your severance package should be based on a total of 16 years of seniority.

Your new employment contract with the company pulling you away from your current employer should reference your previous years of service.

An employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP can ensure that your agreement contains the correct clause to guard your seniority.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
• Severance packages in Ontario
• Rights to severance in Alberta
• Severance pay in British Columbia: Your rights

Looking to change jobs? Speak to an employment lawyer

Before signing a new employment contract, have the experienced employment law team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP review the agreement to make sure your workplace rights are protected.

Our lawyers in Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, and Vancouver can help you better understand the terms of the contract and advise you on how best to navigate the situation. We help individuals working across Ontario, Alberta and B.C.