Demographics and loyalty in the workplace

There are many reasons why living in Canada is so desirable: access to healthcare, education, our abundance of fresh water and beautiful nature – even employment. In fact, Canada continues to show a downward trend in unemployment year to year. Statistics Canada reports that in January 2018, Canada’s national unemployment rate was down to 5.9% from 6.8% in January 2017.

This positive trend in the workforce is not necessarily as beneficial for employers, however. Earlier this year, The Globe and Mail reported that 89% of Canadian employees are prepared to leave their current job for “the right offer,” up from 78% in 2014.

Analyzing employment trends, the Caddle team decided to ask Canadians if it’s okay to apply and interview for jobs, even if there is no intention of leaving a current position.

The majority of Millennials (29%) and Generation Z (31%) considered it completely acceptable to apply for other jobs, compared to the majority of Generation X (29%) considering it only somewhat acceptable, and Boomers (33%) considering this not at all acceptable.

When it comes to interviewing for a job you have no interest in taking, however, all four generations shared more similar views. The majority of Millennials (28%) and Generation Z (31%) considered this action only somewhat acceptable, while the majority of Generation X (30%) and Boomers (43%) considered this to be not at all acceptable.

There’s another split when it comes to gender as well – particularly around interviewing for a job despite being happily employed. The majority of men (28%) deemed this completely acceptable, while the majority of women (32%) deemed this not at all acceptable.

There are positives to applying and interviewing for jobs even if you’re happily employed: it’s valuable practice, an opportunity to expand your professional network and it’s a chance to get a better sense of where you stand compensation-wise. If you decide to apply or interview for another job, though, avoid letting it affect your day-to-day responsibilities, and always be careful not to burn bridges with either party.