The latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey says Calgary area employers expect a gloomy hiring climate for the third quarter of 2020.

“Survey data reveals that four per cent of employers plan to hire for the upcoming quarter, while 25 per cent
anticipate cutbacks,” said Randy Upright, CEO of Manpower’s Alberta Region. “Another 63 per cent of employers plan to maintain their current staffing levels in the upcoming quarter, while the remaining eight per cent of employers are unsure of their hiring intentions.

“With seasonal variations removed from the data, Calgary’s third quarter Net Employment Outlook of -21 per cent is a 27 percentage point decrease when compared to the previous quarterly Outlook. It is also a 26 percentage point decrease from the Outlook reported during the same time last year, indicating a dim hiring pace for the upcoming months.”

A dim hiring outlook is not unexpected, given the economic lockdowns in the wake of the Covid-19 health emergency, said Darlene Minatel, Country Manager of ManpowerGroup
Canada.

“Companies that are hiring generally fall into the category of being essential service or supportive of essential services during this time. The category of essential workers is expanding beyond those who got us through the crisis – grocery stores clerks and temperature checkers – to include those who will help lead us out of the crisis. Think of roles in the IT sector, including chip manufacturers and app developers, who are leading the
shift to more flexible and remote work.”