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🧑🔎 Randstad Employer Brand Research: 23% of Canadian Workers Plan to Change Jobs. For Gen Z, it's Nearly Doubled

Friday, 10 July 2026 08:00.AM

- The latest Canadian edition of the Randstad Employer Brand Research offers a nuanced yet clear picture of workforce expectations -

Randstad Canada has released the findings of its annual Randstad Employer Brand Research (REBR). Moving past traditional HR surveys, the REBR goes straight to the source by polling the workforce itself. The 2026 results paint a clear picture: Canadian workers have concrete expectations--and they are well within reach for employers ready to take action.

"This year's data reminds us that the foundation of the employer-employee relationship hasn't fundamentally changed: workers want to be fairly compensated and able to live their lives outside of work. What has changed is how quickly they act when they feel those needs aren't being met." -- Marie-Eve Robitaille, Division President, Professional Talent Solutions, Randstad Canada

A Market in Motion

At the time of the survey, 23% of Canadian workers said they planned to change jobs: a signal employers cannot afford to ignore heading into hiring season.

• Gen Z is showing record mobility intentions, with 42% considering a job change.

• The main reasons for leaving: compensation deemed too low (48%), the desire for better balance (40%), and a lack of growth opportunities (34%).

• Departure drivers vary by profile: digital talent is more likely to leave due to a lack of professional growth, while older generations are more likely to move on for salary reasons.

Compensation and Work-Life Balance: The Two Top Priorities

Compensation and work-life balance rank equally at the top of candidates' priorities when choosing an employer (66% each). Behind this finding lies a more nuanced reality: the importance placed on salary varies considerably depending on the profile.

• The value placed on salary increases with age, from 54% among Gen Z to 77% among Baby Boomers.
Women place a higher premium on compensation than men (69% vs. 62%).
• 8 in 10 workers place great importance on benefits that support their lifestyle: flexibility, time off, and health and wellness (all around 82%).
• Despite these high expectations, 63% of workers already rate their current employer positively on work-life balance.

Human Connection: A Competitive Advantage That Remains Deeply Underestimated

As companies automate their recruitment processes, the data sends the opposite signal: human connection remains decisive at every stage of the candidate journey.

• 68% of candidates consider in-person contact important when exploring a job opportunity.
• Personal referrals are remarkably effective: only 29% of candidates use them, yet 27% land a position through them.
• Social media plays a significant discovery role: on Facebook, 62% of candidates land a job while only 53% are actively searching there.

SOURCE: Randstad US