Employers foresee modest hiring climate for second quarter: Survey

Canadian employers expect a modest hiring climate for the second quarter of 2014, according to the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.

With seasonal variations removed from the data, the net employment outlook of nine per cent is a two percentage point decrease compared to the previous quarter and a three percentage point drop compared to the outlook reported during the same time last year.

Sixteen per cent of employers plan to increase staffing levels in the second quarter of 2014, while four per cent anticipate cutbacks, found the survey of more than 1,900 employers across Canada. And 78 per cent expect current staffing levels to remain the same while two per cent are unsure of their hiring intentions for this upcoming quarter.

“A modest hiring climate is projected for the second quarter of 2014, with new business growth at its weakest in five months,” said Byrne Luft, vice-president of operations at Manpower Canada. “There are some bright spots amidst the slow growth, with employers in the construction and transportation and public utilities industry sectors expecting the strongest gains. However, job growth is expected to be slower in Ontario and Quebec, with limited advances in full-time work expected for the coming quarter.”

Jobseekers across Canada can expect to see varying amounts of hiring activity. Employers in Western Canada expect the strongest hiring climate for this coming quarter, reporting a net employment outlook of 13 per cent. Employers in Atlantic Canada also expect a respectable hiring pace with an outlook of 10 per cent, while employers in Ontario and Quebec anticipate modest opportunities for job seekers, reporting outlooks of eight and five per cent, respectively.

Net employment outlook