As Most Depressing Day Looms, Canadians say Economy, Work and Health Blues
Cap a Year that was Mediocre at Best
Career expert shares practical tips on overcoming work blues for a happier new year
The biggest causes of the blues among employed Canadians are the economy (29 per cent) and work (26 per cent). Family matters (15 per cent) and threat of illness such as H1N1 (14 per cent) has 29 per cent of employed Canadians singin' the blues. Nearly three quarters of employed Canadians (74 per cent) said they suffer work-related blues at least occasionally - and that number has risen 11 per cent in just three years. Nearly one in five say they suffer frequently.
Employed Canadians say the most depressing thing about work is stress (26 per cent); juggling work and family (24 per cent) and pay (14 per cent). More than a third of Canadians (37 per cent) consider their work simply a job as opposed to a career that gives them opportunity for growth and advancement. Unfortunately 61 per cent say they are not optimistic about getting promoted, slightly higher than last year (57 per cent).
Workplace blues: desensitized by the daily grind?
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"Most people are so desensitized by the daily grind that they don't even realize that they're unhappy, let alone what to do about it! After the tough year we've had, Canadians are too busy just trying to keep their heads above water - they don't have time to imagine the work situation that would make them really happy," says Thibert.
To determine how blue you really are Thibert suggests tracking your workplace blues for a month.
Keep a diary, conquer the workplace blues
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"Keep a daily record of what made you happy or unhappy each day and give yourself a score on a scale of one to 10, one being totally unbearable unhappiness and 10 being an absolute joy. By the end of the month you should be able to identify if you're happy - specifically what you like and don't like about your work," says Thibert. "If your average score at the end of the month is six or lower, it's time to start strategizing for happiness."
Settling the Workplace Blues Score
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7 - 10 Congratulations!
- No workplace blues
4 - 6 Moderate
- Lack of enthusiasm
- Less engaged
- Live for the weekend attitude
- Sunday dread
1 - 4 Severe
- Above symptoms PLUS
- Daily wake-up dread
- General negativity
- Crying or feelings of rage at work
- Faking illness, calling in sick
- Hoping for illness
Top criteria for career happiness
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Thank goodness it's not all doom and gloom in the year ahead. Thibert says
these are the hallmarks of careers that make you happy:
1. Stability: Occupational areas that are in demand
2. Career Readiness (or Options): Opportunity for growth & upward
mobility
3. Rewarding Outcomes: See the immediate positive impact of your work
4. Flexibility: Permits work life/balance
5. Self Worth: Feel like you're needed
"For some it's possible to find happiness in their current job," explains Thibert. "But there are still many with a failing grade in the happiness department. Canada's median income is below
Get a career, get happy
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Key to career happiness is identifying areas that are in-demand; offer flexibility; and have the potential for long-term growth. The career experts at Everest have identified healthcare as one of the strongest industries with opportunity due to the aging Canadian population; rising stress levels; the pressures of the sandwich generation; and the strain being placed on existing healthcare services.
"Healthcare is where it's at right now," says Thibert. "The need is there; the work is very gratifying; and often-times you can make your own schedule. Everest focuses on training for occupational areas with skill shortages and we have accelerated programs so you can get into a new career quickly. Some examples would include fitness trainer, massage therapist or personal support worker. Great careers for making you happy and that play a role in keeping Canadians healthy and happy too."
Everest College: Changing lives through career training
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Everest College, formerly CDI College, embodies the core values and commitment to excellence established over the last 40 years, and delivers high-quality programs taught by qualified professionals with industry-specific expertise and real-world experience. Everest College continues CDI College's track record of excellent student completion rates, job placement and program satisfaction.
Everest College, with 17 campuses across Ontario, prepares students to compete for career opportunities with specialized career training in high-growth fields.
About Corinthian Colleges, Inc.
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Corinthian Colleges, Inc., parent company of Everest College, is one of the largest post-secondary education companies in
About the Everest College Workplace Blues Survey
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The Workplace Blues survey was conducted from
For more information on Everest, please visit www.everest.ca.
* Dr. Cliff Arnall, a Cardiff University researcher, identified the
Most Depressing Day
(xx) Survey conducted in early December via telephone
(xxx) According to Statistics Canada
For further information: To schedule an interview with Don Thibert or for more information on Everest College's Workplace Blues Poll, please contact Timothy Chan at Strategic Objectives, Tel: (416) 366-7735 x 244, Email: [email protected]
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