Two-thirds of Canadian professionals ‘rage applying’ for other jobs; toxic workplaces to blame, study shows

You’ve heard about being silent and letting go of anger, but have you heard about applying anger? Chances are, you’ve probably done it.

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According to a new survey, 67 per cent of Canadian professionals have applied fury in 2023, meaning they have applied for another job while already employed because they are unhappy with their work situation.

The survey, conducted by recruitment specialist firm Robert Walters, included responses from 2,000 Canadian professionals. More than half of respondents claimed that they had applied for multiple new jobs within a short time frame, with 51 percent claiming that a toxic workplace was their main motivation for seeking new employment.

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Nita Chinzer, an associate professor in the University of Guelph’s department of management, believes Canadian workers are taking advantage of record-low unemployment numbers and a tight labor market: “This is a great opportunity for them to change jobs.”

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Chhinzer said in an interview with CTVNews.ca that Canadian workers have long experienced stress, workplace isolation and an overwhelming amount of work.

“Traditionally, in times of high unemployment people are afraid to leave their jobs because they cannot find jobs elsewhere. So they can actively apply for work while they’re still employed,” Chinzer said. “But now people are saying, ‘You know what, maybe the grass is greener elsewhere, maybe there’s a job for me. There is a better suitable job and I don’t want to be here anymore.”

Chhinjar told CTV News that Canadian professionals’ relationship with work has changed during the pandemic. The staff have changed gears; “It’s not just about what the individual can do for the employer. It’s also about what the employer can do for the individual.”

According to a Robert Walters survey, 23 percent of employees blamed poor work-life balance, and 17 percent cited an unmanageable workload as the reason for wanting to quit.

Martin Fox, managing director of Robert Walters, said in the report that toxic workplace cultures can have a significant impact on employee happiness. A toxic workplace can affect a staff member’s “mental and physical safety, productivity levels, generation of ideas and innovation in the workplace.”

According to Chinzer, one thing workplaces can do to combat toxic work environments is to spend more time training their managers.

“We are constantly told that people leave managers, not employers. When managers engage in inappropriate work practices, and when they do not offer praise or opportunities for growth, individuals say the relationship is not reciprocated. “