Job market recovery expected in the second quarter of 2012

Findings of the Ordre des CRHA's Quebec employment outlook survey for the second quarter of 2012

MONTREAL, April 20, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - After a difficult start to the year, HR professionals expect to see the job market pick up in the second quarter of 2012. That's the main finding of the latest Flash-Emploi CRHA released by the Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés. This quarterly survey, conducted in collaboration with Analysis Group, economic financial and strategy consultants, reflects how HR professionals expect the Quebec job market to develop in the near future.

For this second quarter of 2012, the net difference in hiring expectations (%of respondents expecting an increase less % expecting a decrease) amounts to +25.5 %, or an increase of 2.9% over the previous quarter. Despite this slight rise, these results are lower than last year's anticipated hiring growth of 45.5%.

Some 22.9% of the 305 professionals surveyed expect an increase in hours worked versus only 2.9% who expect the contrary, for a net difference of +17.4%. This constitutes an improvement of 12.1 percentage points in relation to data collected three months earlier.

Survey respondents do not seem to feel the impact of the labour shortage as severely as in the preceding quarter or during the same period in 2011. They plan to step up recruitment efforts by +43.0%, which amounts to a decline of 16.6% compared to the first quarter of 2012 and 13.1% to last year. With the summer just ahead, these figures can be explained by a greater availability of labour.

"After a more difficult period in early 2012, the survey shows that the job market is emerging from its hibernation. Together with encouraging unemployment figures and the optimism of employers in Quebec and the rest of Canada, all signs point to the second quarter being a good period for both organizations and workers," commented Florent Francoeur, CHRP, Ordre president and CEO.

SMEs and the manufacturing sector the most dynamic
Companies with fewer than 99 employees appear to recover more quickly than those with over 100 employees. Not only are they in "hiring mode" at +45.6%, but +5.1% also plan to award salary increases that are higher than inflation. The manufacturing sector plans to increase its recruitment efforts by more than 20% and hours worked will rise by 23.9% in comparison to the previous quarter.

For the complete report (in French only): http://www.portailrh.org/presse

For an interview with Florent Francoeur, please contact Justine Delisle.

Methodology
The indices presented in this quarterly newsletter are based on responses to a survey conducted from March 5 to 19, 2012 among a random sample of members of the Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés (CRHA). In all, 305 respondents participated in this survey, representing a margin of error of 5.5%, 19 times out of 20. In the case of organizations with a number of Ordre members, only the response of the main HR manager was retained. The responses were weighted according to the size of the organization and were not seasonally adjusted. The total percentages may not always equal 100% due to rounding of values. The survey analysis was performed by Analysis Group, economic, financial and strategy consultants. (www.groupedanalyse.ca).

About the Ordre
With close to 8,500 members, the Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés is the fifth largest association of its kind in the world. It is the only organization in Quebec mandated to award human resources professionals a title certifying their competency.

The Ordre is a leader in employee management practices. Committed to innovation, it supports the ongoing development of human resources professionals (CHRPs) and industrial relations counsellors (CIRCs), thus helping to maintain a healthy balance between employee well-being and organizational success. It is vigilant in ensuring that this multifaceted function promotes leading-edge solutions that address the major issues impacting the workforce.

Through its actions in the public arena, the Ordre contributes to the advancement and reputation of the profession and plays a key influential role in the world of work in Quebec.

Justine Delisle, CHRP
Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés
Tel.: [phone], ext. 235; 1 800 214-1609
Cell phone: [phone]
[email protected]