New Monster survey reveals nearly the same
amount would ditch their desk
TORONTO, June 13, 2016 /CNW/ - Would you work if you
didn't have to? A recent survey from Monster Canada found that
nearly half of Canadians (47 per cent) would be likely to continue
working, even if they didn't need to. On the other hand, an almost
equal number of Canadians (49 per cent) reported they'd leave their
work life behind.
"These survey findings show that Canadians are split as to
whether they'd want work to be a part of their lives, if they had
the choice," says Sheryl Boswell,
Director of Marketing at Monster Canada. "At Monster, we believe
you should love what you do and that work doesn't have to feel like
'work'. If work is something that you have to do, it's possible to
find a role that you enjoy."
Turning a passion project into a career
The survey,
conducted by Leger, also revealed that for those Canadians who
would opt to continue working, more than half (53 per cent) would
pursue a job that complements their passions. Only one-third (33
per cent) would choose to continue working in their current
field.
"It's not surprising that if given the option, many Canadians
would prefer working in a field that aligns more closely with their
personal interests," says Boswell. "But even those who felt they'd
be unlikely to continue working in the traditional sense may end up
finding themselves seeking out activities that qualify as work – be
it photography, writing, baking, or website design."
Looking for less time on-the-clock
While many
Canadians would continue working, the leading preference for many
would not involve a full work week. Nearly two-thirds (63 per cent)
of respondents who said they'd keep working indicated they'd do so
on a part-time basis, with the second most-popular option being
freelance (15 per cent). The 40-hour work week was less popular,
with just 13 per cent selecting a full-time arrangement, while the
least-preferred option was working in a seasonal capacity (eight
per cent).
The desire to work part-time also spans many income brackets –
66 per cent of respondents who report an annual income of more than
$100,000 indicate they'd keep working
part-time.
"For many working professionals, it's not uncommon to feel that
there aren't enough hours in the day," says Boswell. "There are
employers who help offset this through a demonstrated commitment to
work-life balance. But part-time positions can offer the
fulfillment that many seek in their careers, while affording the
time needed to attend to life's many responsibilities."
Differing preferences among genders
The survey
revealed some notable differences between how men and women would
approach work if they didn't need to have a job. For instance, men
are more likely than women to indicate they'd want to continue
working if they didn't have to (53 per cent compared to 41 per
cent). Further, men are more likely than women to want to pursue a
job that complements their passions (60 per cent compared to 45 per
cent).
Conversely, of those who'd choose to continue working, women are
considerably more likely than men to be drawn to a part-time
arrangement (72 per cent compared to 56 per cent).
Younger generations more likely to work if they didn't have
to
Generationally, millennials are the group most likely to
want to keep clocking in for the work day. Six in 10 (60 per cent)
Canadians aged 18-34 said they'd be likely to continue working if
they didn't have to, while this number drops among older
generations (50 per cent among Canadians aged 35-44, 52 per cent
among those aged 45-54, and 36 per cent of those aged 55-64).
Millennials are also the most drawn to a job that complements
their passions, with two-thirds (66 per cent) selecting this
option.
"Work is a part of most of our lives from the time we're young
adults until retirement – it can be hard not to dream of a life in
which we don't need to work to live," says Boswell. "Not all of us
live to work, but there can be a happy medium – a career we find
both fulfilling and interesting. Those jobs are out there, if you
know where to look."
For job search advice or tips on how to find better in your
professional life, visit career-advice.monster.ca.
About Monster Worldwide
Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:
MWW) is a global leader in connecting people to jobs, wherever they
are. For more than 20 years, Monster has helped people improve
their lives with better jobs, and employers find the best talent.
Today, the company offers services in more than 40 countries,
providing some of the broadest, most sophisticated job seeking,
career management, recruitment and talent management capabilities.
Monster continues its pioneering work of transforming the
recruiting industry with advanced technology using intelligent
digital, social and mobile solutions, including our flagship
website monster.com® and a vast array of products and services. For
more information visit http://monster.com/about.
About the Survey
Leger conducted a quantitative online
survey of 1,576 Canadians. The fieldwork was completed between
May 23-26, 2016. A probability sample
of the same size would yield a margin of error of +/- 2.5 per cent,
19 times out of 20.
SOURCE Monster