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Hamilton Spectator
6 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Hiring Confidence Wavers as Canadian Companies Reassess Growth Plans for 2025
TORONTO, July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As the second half of 2025 begins, many Canadian employers are taking a hard look at their hiring plans, and what they see is prompting a more cautious approach. A new survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals reveals that, while most hiring managers (69%) still feel positive about their company's hiring outlook for the remainder of 2025, that optimism has dimmed since a year ago (74%). At the same time, concern is growing, with 46% now expressing a negative hiring outlook, up from 38% last June. While approximately 2 in 5 companies (43%) still plan to increase their workforce in the second half of the year, that is a decline from 49% last summer. For those planning to hire, the top reasons include the need to manage growing workloads (51%), fill newly created roles (35%) and replace employees lost to turnover (42%). The proportion of companies planning to cut their number of employees (13%) has increased, compared to last year (8%). The majority cite cost cutting as the primary driver (67%), followed by adapting to government policy changes (30%) and responding to declining demand (25%). The types of roles companies are targeting are also evolving. Companies are now most likely to hire mid-level employees (46%) as entry-level hiring (43%) has dropped sharply compared to last year (56%). Full-time positions remain the most sought-after (74%), while one quarter of companies (25%) plan to hire part-time roles. 'These numbers tell a story of employers recalibrating,' said Bob Funk, Jr., CEO, President and Chairman of Express Employment International. 'They're still hiring, but with more intention, more strategy and a sharper eye on the future.' Survey Methodology The Job Insights survey was conducted online within Canada by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals from June 2 – 18, 2025, among 500 Canadian hiring decision-makers. For full survey methodology, please contact Ana Curic at Ana@ . If you would like to arrange for an interview to discuss this topic, please contact Ana Curic at (613) 858-2622 or email Ana@ . About Robert (Bob) Funk, Jr. Robert (Bob) Funk, Jr., is the Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of Express Employment International, a global staffing franchisor founded and headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He leads a portfolio of workforce solution brands, including the flagship Express Employment Professionals franchise, along with several affiliated brands serving specialized markets. The Express franchise brand is an industry-leading, international staffing company with franchise locations across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. About Express Employment Professionals At Express Employment Professionals, we're in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, employing 427,000 people globally in 2024 and more than 11 million since its inception. For more information, visit . A photo accompanying this announcement is available at


Hamilton Spectator
11-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Employee Turnover Is Costing Canadian Companies Big in 2025
TORONTO, June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As the midpoint of 2025 approaches, many companies are not only focused on hiring but also preparing for a potential rise in employee turnover. According to a recent Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey, close to 1 in 3 Canadian hiring managers (28%) expect turnover at their company to increase this year. This growing concern is already impacting company budgets. On average, turnover costs businesses $29,234 annually in expenses like rehiring and lost productivity. For nearly 1 in 5 hiring managers (17%), that number climbs to $100,000 or more each year. The financial burden of turnover is especially pronounced in larger organizations. Among those who report annual turnover costs of $100,000 or more: Among those anticipating increased turnover, the most commonly cited reasons include: In light of these challenges, hiring remains a top priority for Canadian companies. A strong majority (83%) of hiring managers say their companies still plan to hire in 2025, which is in line with last year's figures. Among those, 33% are hiring to increase their overall headcount, while 37% aim to maintain current staffing levels. Notably, 38% of those planning to hire say the need to replace employees lost to turnover is a key driver behind their plans. 'Employee turnover isn't just a staffing issue, it's a financial one,' said Express CEO Bob Funk, Jr. 'Companies that want to stay competitive must be intentional about retention. That means building a workplace where people see long-term value — not just in compensation, but in leadership, clarity of direction and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully.' Survey Methodology The Job Insights survey was conducted online within Canada by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals between Nov. 11 – 26, 2024, among 505 Canadian hiring decision-makers. For full survey methodology, please contact Ana Curic at Ana@ . If you would like to arrange for an interview to discuss this topic, please contact Ana Curic at (613) 858-2622 or email Ana@ . About Robert (Bob) Funk, Jr. Robert (Bob) Funk, Jr., is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Express Employment International, a global staffing franchisor founded and headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He leads a portfolio of workforce solution brands, including the flagship Express Employment Professionals franchise, along with several affiliated brands serving specialized markets. The Express franchise brand is an industry-leading, international staffing company with franchise locations across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. About Express Employment Professionals At Express Employment Professionals, we're in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, employing 427,000 people globally in 2024 and more than 11 million since its inception. For more information, visit . A photo accompanying this announcement is available at


Hamilton Spectator
14-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Job Seekers Worried About State of Canadian Economy
TORONTO, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Canadian employees are grappling with economic fears, increased work demands and growing dissatisfaction with key aspects of their jobs, according to a newly released survey by The Harris Poll, commissioned by Express Employment Professionals. In the past year, more than half of employed job seekers have worked longer hours or more shifts than usual (58%) and 1 in 3 have taken on another job (30%) to make ends meet. Despite increased efforts, many job seekers are not optimistic about their job security. Their biggest concerns include not receiving the salary increase they deserve (41%) and a slowdown in work opportunities because of the economy (38%). Concerns about workforce reduction and job loss compound these fears. More than one-third of job seekers (34%) fear their company may reduce its workforce due to the economic climate. Many also worry about losing their job before finding a new one (34%) or their employers will decrease their hours (26%). In addition, concerns about technology or artificial intelligence negatively impacting their role are rising, with 24% expressing this fear. Generational differences reveal distinct concerns among job seekers: As job seekers navigate these challenges, they are also reporting significant gaps in workplace satisfaction with aspects of their job that they deem the most important: Addressing such gaps can be an important step employers can take to foster a loyal and motivated workforce, significantly enhancing employee appreciation and retention and ultimately strengthening their organization to succeed regardless of economic conditions. Survey Methodology The Job Seeker Report was conducted online within Canada by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals from Nov. 21 to Dec. 6, 2024, among 505 adults ages 18 and older. For full survey methodology, please contact Ana Curic at Ana@ . If you would like to arrange for an interview to discuss this topic, please contact Ana Curic at (613) 858-2622 or email Ana@ . About Express Employment Professionals At Express Employment Professionals, we're in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, employing 427,000 people globally in 2024 and more than 11 million since its inception. For more information, visit .