How many people are satisfied with their job?

Less than half (46%) of workers in Canada feel satisfied with their current roles and responsibilities, according to a recent ADP report.

This comes as Canadians’ happiness for September stands at .7/10, unchanged from August, based on ADP Canada’s monthly Happiness@Work Index.

"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," says Heather Haslam, vice president of marketing at ADP Canada.

A report published by Statistics Canada (StatCan) in January noted that, overall, 80% of workers rated their level of satisfaction from 7 to 10, with 7.7 out of 10 being the average level of satisfaction.

Happiness indicators drop

While there has been no change in the overall National Work Happiness Score and the primary happiness indicator (6.9/10) from August to September, most of the secondary indicators drop, according to the survey of 1,2000 Canadians fielded by Maru Public Opinion on behalf of ADP Canada.

Specifically, there have been reductions in scores for the following:

• Work-life balance & flexibility: 6.8/10 (-0.1)
• Recognition & support: 6.5/10 (-0.1)
• Options for career advancement: 5.9/10 (-0.2)

"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," says Haslam.

"As financial pressures linger post-summer, employers should focus on providing resources that promote financial wellness and overall well-being,” he says.

Overall, 71% of workers would like to update their skills more often, and 80% believe employers should invest more to provide upskilling and reskilling opportunities for workers, according to a previous TalentLMS report.

The score for compensation & benefits is unchanged from the previous month at 6.2/10.

This is the case as more than half (56%) of employees (56%) indicate that they spent more than anticipated over the summer months. 

Also, while over half (55%) of employees in Canada report that their ability to save money remained unchanged during the summer months, about a third (32%) of workers indicate they saved less than anticipated over that period.

Currently, over two in five (41%) Canadians belong to the financially stressed cluster, up from 37% in 2023, according to the National Payroll Institute.

National work happiness score generational, regional snapshot for September:

Generations:

• Boomers (59+): 7.2/10 (+0.1)
• Gen-Z (18-26): 6.9/10 (+0.1)
• Millennials (27-42): 6.7/10 (NC)
• Gen-X (43-58): 6.4/10 (-0.1)

Regions:

• Sask/Manitoba: 7.0/10 (+0.4)
• Québec: 6.8/10 (-0.2)
• Alberta: 6.8/10 (+0.1)
• British Columbia: 6.7/10 (-0.2)
• Atlantic Canada: 6.6/10 (-0.3)
• Ontario: 6.6/10 (+0.1)