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BUSINESS TIPS

Negotiating

new trends in

the workforce

landscape

The evolving nature of work continues
to shape the employee landscape due
to unprecedented changes driven by
technological advancements, shiting
societal expectations, and the atermath
of a global pandemic. As a result,
organizations must adapt to emerging If you’re not having that positive and “Employers still have to focus on managing
employee trends to foster a resilient and diverse work culture, that’s going to hurt performance if people are going to stay
engaged workforce. you in the long run.” longer and they have to invest in leadership
One way to accomplish this suggests He says the introduction of AI tools, such and coaching if you want to maximize your
Frank Newman, owner of Newman Human as ChatGPT, Copy.ai and Kickresume, have investment.”
Resources Consulting, is to keep in touch not only benefitted Canada’s newcomer He notes employees may also be a little
with employees through engagement population by helping them become more reluctant to move due to the ‘shakiness’ of
surveys. proficient and fluid in the English language, the economy.
“Listening to the pulse of your organization but have become valuable assets for “I think employers may want to continue
is going to be more important than ever,” businesses as well. to monitor salaries which have stabilized
he says. “Employers may also want to think “I think we are going to see more employers quite a bit and want to make sure they
about their work culture and in terms of looking for people who have some AI are staying around that 3-4% annual
what attracts people, and they want to experience,” says Frank. “Being able to say change,” says Frank. “But I think in general,
make sure they are managing leadership you can demonstrate use of those tools is employers are cautiously optimistic about
e†ectively.” a good thing for potential job candidates.” things going forward.”
Among the many trends employers must However, there are potential downsides Job Market Trends
embrace is creating a more welcoming such as the creation of AI generated
work environment, especially when it resumes and materials that can help a Hybrid Work Models:
comes to Canada’s growing immigrant candidate embellish their qualifications. Employees now seek a balance between
population. “There are tools to test a document to see the flexibility of remote work and the
if it’s been AI written and you may now see collaboration o†ered by in-person
interactions. Organizations that embrace
More than 430,000 immigrants many sophisticated employers doing just hybrid models will likely attract and
were brought to Canada in 2022 that,” he says. “They may also be thinking retain top talent, o†ering employees the
by Immigration, Refugees and of asking a potential employee to provide autonomy to choose where and when they
Citizenship Canada (IRCC), with an writing samples.” work.
additional target of 485,000 this year Another trend is the emergence of ‘The
and a further 500,000 in 2025. IRCC Great Stay’ phenomenon, which experts say Employee Well-being Takes Centre Stage:
data indicates in 2022, 184,725 of has been replacing the ‘Great Resignation’ Organizations are placing a heightened
these new permanent residents came experienced during the pandemic as focus on mental health, work-life balance,
to Ontario. and holistic wellness programs. Employees
employees re-evaluated their priorities value employers who prioritize their well-
and migrated to other opportunities. being, leading to increased job satisfaction
“There is a large talent pool available, “I’m not sensing The Great Stay too much and productivity.
and employers have to be thoughtful in this region and am still sensing a fair bit
in how they bring new talent into their of fluidity, but having people stay longer Continuous Learning and Development:
With the rapid pace of technological
organizations from our immigrant is always a good thing because it’s less advancements, the demand for upskilling
population,” says Frank. “The whole costly,” says Frank, noting it can cost at and reskilling is on the rise. Employees
concept of diversity, inclusion, and equity least three times an employee’s salary to expect continuous learning opportunities
is rising in terms of what’s important for replace them considering the recruitment to stay relevant in their roles and advance
companies and for individuals. process, training, and upskilling. their careers.

20 Spring 2024 www.cambridgechamber.com