According to an IPSOS-Reid study, less than half of Canadians say they are willing to move to take advantage of new job opportunities. The phenomenon could explain why companies are turning to the temporary foreign workers program.
Whether moving within their province of residence or elsewhere in the country, Canadian workers are mixed on this question of labour mobility. In the IPSOS-Reid study conducted on behalf of the Canadian Employment Relocation Council (CERC), 12% of Canadians would be willing to relocate anywhere in the country to take advantage of a more interesting job opportunity.
One third of workers have conditions
34% would also be tempted if a certain number of conditions and advantages were met. They cite among these advantages, in first place, a 20% increase in pay (for 48% of them), being guaranteed that they could return to their former job after two years if they wish (39%), being accompanied by their spouse or partner in the search for a new job (31%), the opportunity to visit the city where they would be assigned at the employer’s expense (23%) or the assurance of temporary accommodation for at least one month in the new city (20%).
Government incentives expected
The study also enabled highlighting government incentives that Canadians would appreciate the most in the context of job mobility. More than half of workers would like their employer to have the opportunity to offer them a non-taxable allowance valid for up to six months to let them settle in their new place of residence. Close to half of respondents also said that their employer should be allowed to grant non-taxable loans of up to $100,000 to purchase a house in their new city.
According to the CERC, the results obtained, although not surprising, may be of concern to companies, especially when they are seeking highly qualified workers. Efforts should therefore be made to promote the advantages related to job mobility.