Header bg
  • section background

    Employers need to adapt to the changing expectations of employees: study

    Hero bg 2
    employers-must-adapt-top

    Employers today are grappling with the demands of four generations of employees who are at different life stages, according to a recent Canadian survey.

    The study, done for Hamster, found that a large portion of the Canadian workforce was happy with their employer. About 90 percent were engaged and 81 percent motivated with their work. However, an in-depth look found those numbers were not a true picture of what is happening in each generation.

    According to the research, 89 percent of Baby Boomers (those over 55) are satisfied at their workplace, 95 percent are the most committed and 89 percent are highly motivated.

    Yet, Generation X (classified as 35 to 54 years old for the purposes of the study) are largely dissatisfied in their employment (19 percent) and 21 per cent reportedly lack motivation. Furthermore, 84 percent of Millennials reported being satisfied with their work, but 58 percent told researchers they wanted to change jobs within a couple of years.

    The study also showed a big difference between the expectations of each generation. In particular, the younger generations’ expectations have been changing the face of work altogether.

    Employers who are already aware of the changing workforce have started to make some changes, yet, 50 percent noted they struggle to meet the demands of all generations. Eighty-nine percent have recognized they will need to make changes to keep younger workers.

    Need Insurance for Your Small Business?

    APOLLO and Gallagher have partnered to provide insurance designed for businesses and business professionals. Get a free quote online in under five minutes and receive your policy instantly.

    Get a Free Online Quote

    4.7 rating

    Google Logo

    Employee expectations

    Millennials have high expectations when it comes to benefits their employer should offer. This includes coverage for professionals such as psychologists, occupational therapists, massage therapists, and nutritionists. Offering one on one personal training to exceed expectations as an employer is an option in this context. It chimes with the wellness-focused expectations that younger generations are bringing to bear on the businesses they work for, and aligns with the data points that this research has brought to light.

    A similar study found that 63 percent of employees were looking for generous parental leave policies and 54 percent expected financial education help. These are a result of standards set by previous generations, a professor from the University of Guelph noted.

    “Millennials are more likely to view their jobs as an exchange where benefits and services are an entitlement, rather than as a relationship,” Dr. Sean Lyons told the Daily Hive.

    Employees have noted these changes among their employees. Aon’s Benefits and Trends Survey found that 98 percent of employees expected flexible working hours and 89 percent were looking for the opportunity to work from home.

    “There’s still a wide gap between the kinds of experiences employees want to have at work and the experiences they’re actually having,” HR expert Carrie Patrick wrote in an article for Medium.

    She noted that these changes are a response to a change in the expectation of employers.

    Patrick wrote in her article that because most employees are expected to be available outside the traditional 9-to-5 workday, workers have developed expectations for extra benefits and flexibility in exchange.

    “Most employees consider a consistent routine a luxury,” she wrote. “These demands lead employees to expect work-life balance support from their employers.”

    Employer strategy

    The results show that younger employees demand more in the way of growth and development opportunities. Therefore, employers who want to build loyalty in their millennial-aged or Gen Z staff members will need to develop engagement strategies built around these types of opportunities.

    “If I have advice for employers in 2019 it’s to get to know who your employees are as people and what their specific needs and wants are and keep asking,” Dr. Lyons said. “The answers are critically important to making evidence-informed HR decisions, but the very act of asking is meaningful and critical to relationship building.”

    Employers who are already aware of the changing workforce have started to make some changes, yet, 50 percent noted they struggle to meet the demands of all generations. Eighty-nine percent have recognized they will need to make changes to keep younger workers.

    “All sectors in Canada are facing significant challenges in talent acquisition and retention,” Denis Mathieu, president and CEO of Novexco, those behind the study stated. “Employees are the most important resource for a company, and we believe it is essential to fully understand their aspirations and needs to better meet them in order to have a competitive advantage.”

    The CEO of Redstone Agency in Toronto told the CBC that employers needed to be aware of what motivates younger workers.

    “Millennials and Gen Z are just looking for purpose,” she was quoted as saying. “While yes, it’s a paycheque — and having that financial support is definitely important — I think that having purpose and working toward a larger goal of something that’s bigger than themselves is something they’re looking for … in the work that they do.”

    Need Insurance for Your Small Business?

    APOLLO and Gallagher have partnered to provide insurance designed for businesses and business professionals. Get a free quote online in under five minutes and receive your policy instantly.

    Originally published June 12, 2019, updated October 29, 2024

    Back to APOLLO Magazine
    Share this article

    Looking for tenant insurance?

    Get no-nonsense coverage that's the best value for your money. Purchase policies from your computer or phone, receive your documents instantly, and save when you buy online.

    Looking for tenant insurance?

    Get no-nonsense coverage that's the best value for your money. Purchase policies from your computer or phone, receive your documents instantly, and save when you buy online.

    Relevant articles

    complete index blogs apollo canada

    A Complete Index of APOLLO’s Insurance Blogs

    the-creative-exchange-7aKbIqfIEMw-unsplash

    Here’s how you can take more effective breaks

    office-insurance

    Why office insurance is important for your business

    maliha-mannan-8gn_WhKv8Ns-unsplash

    The benefits of procrastination

    section background
    section background

    Getting insured is as easy as 1 - 2 - 3

    Tell us (very little) about yourself
    1

    Tell us (very little) about yourself

    Just tell us your address, your name, email and phone number. And that's it. We'll give you a price in less than a minute.

    Pay online easily and securely
    2

    Pay online easily and securely

    You can choose to pay monthly or save money by paying for the entire year in one easy payment.

    Get your documents in your inbox - instantly
    3

    Get your documents in your inbox - instantly

    As soon as you complete your purchase, you'll find your proof of insurance and policy documents waiting for you in your inbox.

    Get covered today - it couldn’t be easier

    We’ve provided more than 1,000,000 quotes to Canadians just like you. Give it a try!

    Google Logo

    Reviews

    4.7 rating

    2,163 reviews

    view all

    Across Canada

    Contact Us
    Apollo logo

    © 2024 APOLLO Insurance Solutions Ltd.

    111 Water Street, Unit 210, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 1A7

    APOLLO Insurance Agency Ltd. (o/a APOLLO Brokerage in the province of Ontario only) is a licensed retail brokerage, offering our clients with a comprehensive set of insurance solutions to meet their individual needs. APOLLO Insurance Agency Ltd. maintains necessary corporate licensing in provinces across Canada. Availability of products and service depends on licensing and product availability. The information that appears on this page is provided for information purposes only. Advertised products and prices are not guaranteed and vary based on insurance provider and/or insurance company's discretion and product availability.

    Transparency and Disclosure: APOLLO Insurance Agency's role is to provide you with exceptional service and the best insurance products that suit your needs. As a licensed retail brokerage, our compensation is based on a commission basis already built into your insurance premium and varies based on the product purchased through our platform. For a description of how APOLLO Insurance Agency is compensated and how this is calculated, please refer to our Compensation Disclosure document. For consumers in Ontario, please review the RIBO Conduct Fact Sheet and the RIBO Conduct Guidance document.