Nearly one-third of workers feel tired or overworked

More than half (53 percent) of workers in Canada report having a negative feeling about work and nearly one-third (30 percent) feel tired and overworked, shedding light on the crucial need for a renewed focus on work-life balance, compensation, and family considerations in the evolving workplace, says a survey from ADP Canada, conducted with Maru Public Opinion.

With a third of workers feeling overworked and tired, it’s not surprising that work-life balance is the top priority for almost a third (29 percent) of respondents and in the top three priorities of nearly seven-in-10 (68 percent). Compensation and benefits and family considerations round out the top three priorities for workers in Canada.

The survey indicates that Millennials and Gen X workers are notably more inclined to prioritize work-life balance (30 percent), while Boomers prioritize their families (26 percent). Gen Z, on the other hand, is less likely to prioritize compensation (13 percent) than the other generations.

“The survey results re-affirm the need for employers to connect with workers. Face-to-face time, coaching sessions, and regular check-ins, particularly with the younger workforce, can help employers build trust and be better equipped to support their teams,” says Ed Yuen, vice-president, strategy and HR outsourcing at ADP Canada.

External factors impacting employee sentiment

External factors are driving a lot of the negative sentiment, with seven-in-10 (70 percent) workers reporting feeling stressed because of inflation and the economy. In fact, due to these current economic conditions affecting employees, almost a quarter (23 percent) of workers are considering exploring better opportunities. Yet, despite these challenges, 39 per cent of workers believe they are in the right workplace.

While workers are reporting mixed feelings, they also indicate better levels of feedback, trust, and comfort with their managers than last year, with 77 per cent of employees trusting their managers, and over eight-in-10 (82 percent) managers also reporting having trust in employees. The survey also finds that 72 per cent of managers say they believe their employees are happy.

At the same time, more than half (58 percent) of workers indicate that their workplaces take their goals and feedback seriously, revealing a five-percentage point increase from last year (53 percent). Additionally, regular check-ins remain a standard practice, as four-in-10 (42 percent) respondents meet with their managers or management teams weekly, fostering an environment where many workers in Canada (74 percent) say they feel comfortable going to their manager to voice concerns.

“Positive year-over-year progress in feedback, trust, and comfort between managers and employees in the Canadian workplace is promising to see,” says Yuen. “However, with more than half of workers feeling negatively towards their workplace, it suggests additional opportunities for employers to reassess and develop current workplace practices including regular one-on-one check-ins, flexible schedules and open conversations regarding compensation and benefits for current and potential employees.”