Over half of Canadian employees spent more than planned this summer, with financial pressures lingering
The September edition of ADP Canada’s monthly Happiness@Work Index shows worker satisfaction holding steady as the summer ends and the back-to-school season begins.
Over half of Canadian employees reported spending more than they had planned during the summer months, according to the latest findings.
The National Work Happiness Score for September 2024 remains at 6.7 out of 10, unchanged from August.
Heather Haslam, vice president of marketing at ADP Canada, comments on the consistency in workplace satisfaction.
She said, “With the back-to-school season in full swing and summer behind us, this month’s steady workplace happiness scores highlight the ongoing need for employer support to navigate the transition. As financial pressures linger post-summer, employers should focus on providing resources that promote financial wellness and overall well-being.”
Breaking down the indicators from the report, the primary indicator stands at 6.9 out of 10, while the secondary indicators reveal a slight decline.
Work-life balance and flexibility scored 6.8 out of 10, down by 0.1 from the previous month. Recognition and support also saw a marginal dip to 6.5, while compensation and benefits held steady at 6.2. Opportunities for career advancement experienced the largest drop, declining by 0.2 to 5.9.
Despite the overall stability, almost half of Canadian workers (46 percent) expressed satisfaction with their current roles and responsibilities.
However, nearly all the secondary indicators reported slight decreases this month.
In terms of generational satisfaction, Boomers, with a score of 7.2 out of 10, continue to lead as the happiest generation for the 20th consecutive month, increasing by 0.1. Gen Z follows with a steady score of 6.9. Millennials, at 6.7, remained unchanged, while Gen X experienced a slight decline to 6.4.
Regionally, Saskatchewan and Manitoba saw the highest happiness scores, with an increase of 0.4 to 7.0. This marks the first time these provinces have led the rankings since the Index’s inception.
Meanwhile, Québec reported a slight decrease to 6.8, and Alberta saw a minor increase to the same score. British Columbia dropped to 6.7, while Atlantic Canada recorded a significant decline to 6.6, tying with Ontario for the lowest regional score.
The report also highlighted that 56 percent of employees in Canada exceeded their summer budgets. Meanwhile, 55 percent noted no change in their ability to save money, although 32 percent reported saving less than they had anticipated.
“With many employees exceeding their summer budget and noting challenges with saving, it’s a good time for employers to offer tools and programs that address financial wellness,” concludes Haslam.
The Happiness@Work Index is conducted monthly through a survey carried out by Maru Public Opinion for ADP Canada.
