Canadians Balancing Need to Hire While Keeping Labour Costs Down

TORONTO, March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the AppleOne Group's latest survey, employers have regained their confidence and are taking steps to keep their current employees as well as hire additional human capital. Equally encouraging is Statistics Canada's latest data showing February's unemployment rate falling to 8.2%. The national statistics agency also announced that job creation figures beat forecast with 21,000 net jobs created last month.

"Our surveys provide key insights into how businesses are responding to the economic climate as well as what they're planning for the future," says AppleOne President Gary Gregg. "Our findings indicate that employers have shifted their focus from streamlining to strengthening productivity through strategic hiring and retention efforts."

Many businesses that have contracted are now ramping up their hiring. Nearly 65% don't expect to lay off or terminate any more staff, while 50% expect to hire within the first two quarters of 2010.

Findings also reveal renewed focus on staff retention. Hourly and administrative staff are more likely to see a salary bump, while 51% of senior and 44% of middle management can expect zero pay increases. "Upper-level executives are thinking more long-term, and understand that, right now, something needs to offset the cost of hiring more people," says Gregg. "As they move forward to hire and increase productivity, employers are also reevaluating those employees they retained during the recession. They're making sure these proven performers don't pursue other opportunities when the economy improves further."

To support the growing demand for talent and strategic partnerships, AppleOne offers cost-effective solutions based on each client's specific needs. "We recognize that while some businesses wish to move aggressively, some are more cautious," says Gregg. "Cost containment is still key. Our Flexible Financing has walk-away guarantees. We stand behind our staffing results so our clients can be certain they made the right choice in partnering with us, even in the most uncertain economies."

Complimentary copies of the complete survey summary are available upon request at http://www.appleone.ca/contact.aspx or by calling (800) 564-5644. With over 50 locations throughout Canada, the AppleOne Group of Companies, an affiliate of the global Act-1 Group, include staffing brands AppleOne, Accounting Advantage, BilingualOne, ProFit and HROne

SOURCE AppleOne Group