Over half of Canadian companies plan to add new positions in the second half of the year

Hiring in 2024

Over half (58%) of surveyed managers said they plan to increase the number of contract or project-based employees.

Respondents also indicated that company growth (50%) was the primary factor influencing hiring decisions in the second half of the year. As well, 41% indicated employee turnover and project-based work (39%) has their company on the lookout for skilled professionals. Meanwhile, 38% cited the lack of requisite skills among current employees.

Those not adding a new position or filling a vacated one increased ever so slightly from 4% to 5%. Those eliminating positions remained the same at 1%.

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Hiring challenges persist in 2024

According to the survey, 90% of hiring managers report difficulty finding skilled professionals, and 32% anticipate it taking longer to hire between now and the end of 2025 than it did in the first half of 2024. Additionally, another 45% expect it to take about the same amount of time.

Other top hiring challenges managers anticipate include:

• Lack of applicants with the required skill sets (51%)
• Finding candidates who align with company culture (49%)
• Hiring quickly enough to land the best talent (46%)
• Meeting candidates' salary expectations (46%)

In order to find and acquire the top talent, managers are willing to bend on years of experience if the candidate possesses the required skills (59%), offer hybrid work options (39%) or flexible schedules (37%) to attract talent.

Survey methodology

The online survey was created by Robert Half and conducted by an independent firm. It includes responses from 1,800 managers with hiring responsibilities in finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, administrative and customer support and human resources at companies with 20 or more employees in Canada.