The Americans call it the Great Resignation. In Canada, experts on the labour market like Eddie Lemoine call it the Great Shuffle.
But one thing that is common to employers on both sides of the border is that they are struggling to find employees.
Lemoine, who is in Saskatchewan speaking to CEO and executive developments groups in Saskatoon and Regina, says Canada lost one million workers over the pandemic.
The majority – more than 800,000 – are Baby Boomers who are retiring at a rate of 8,500 a week. Then there are a couple hundred thousand immigrants who went home to be with family during the pandemic.
With the Boomers stepping aside, young people represent a greater proportion of the workforce. They tend to be more mobile than their parents and grandparents.
A report this week from RBC, for example, found that roughly three-quarters of those under 34 will more likely than not to change jobs for one offering better benefits. The top ones in that category are related to mental health support, a health spending account and coverage to improve their personal financial situation.
