More than half of Canadian employees feel underpaid: survey

Many comparing notes with co-workers

More than half of Canadian employees feel underpaid: survey
More than half (53 per cent) of workers admit to comparing notes on compensation with co-workers. iStock

Canadian employees have a better idea of what they’re worth these days, according to global staffing firm Robert Half.

Three-quarters of professionals feel well-informed about what they should be making in their current position, found its surveys of more than 400 workers. That breaks down to 82 per cent of men and 64 per cent of women.

More than half (56 per cent) say they've checked their salary against market rates through online resources, salary guides or job postings in the last year ― up from 52 per cent in a similar survey two years ago.

By gender, 66 per cent of men and 45 per cent of women have checked their compensation.

But many workers aren't liking what they're finding, according to the survey. Only 49 per cent feel they are adequately paid (53 per cent of women feel underpaid, compared to 44 per cent of men).

More than half (53 per cent) of the respondents also admit to comparing notes on compensation with coworkers.

However, 86 per cent did nothing with this information, while 11 per cent used the information as leverage to request a raise and four per cent used it to negotiate a job offer, found the survey.

“It's crucial for employers to stay current on local compensation trends, especially as a growing number of workers make an effort to educate themselves on how their salary stacks up," says David King, senior district president for Robert Half.

"Employees are more likely to stick around if they believe their contributions are valued and rewarded. Providing competitive compensation packages that are responsive to shifting employee preferences, and include perks like commute subsidies, wellness benefits and professional development opportunities, are key to keeping professionals engaged."

Latest stories