New Survey: 38% of Unemployed Have "Given Up"

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - June 3, 2015) - Express Employment Professionals released the results today of its second annual in-depth poll, "The State of the Unemployed in Canada," revealing that 38 per cent of unemployed Canadians agree to some extent that they have completely given up looking for work.

The survey of 1,837 jobless Canadians ages 18 and older was conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals between April 7 and 29, 2015. It offers a rare look at the background and attitudes of the unemployed, their approach to the job hunt, what they blame for their current situation, and how they are holding up through tough times.

"The state of the unemployed in Canada is cause for concern for all of us. A significant portion of the unemployed have given up, and the longer they are unemployed, the more entrenched they become," said Bob Funk, CEO and chairman of the boar for Express Employment Professionals. "If we want to get people back to work, the data is very clear. The status quo for a significant portion of the unemployed is not working."

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"It's also important to remember that these trends can change from quarter to quarter," Funk added.

"One disappointing observation from this survey is that 32 per cent of respondents don't plan to hire in the first quarter of 2015. It's an important reminder that many businesses still face challenges in this economy, making it difficult for them to expand."

WHO ARE THE UNEMPLOYED IN CANADA?

According to the survey, 56 per cent of the unemployed are men; 44 per cent are women.

The largest groups by age are those between 18-29 and 30-39:

• 42 per cent are ages 18 to 29
• 24 per cent are 30 to 39
• 19 per cent are 40 to 49
• 12 per cent are 50 to 59
• Three per cent are 60 and over

Education Level

The vast majority of the unemployed in Canada lack a university degree:

• Three per cent did not attend secondary school
• 12 per cent received some secondary school education
• 25 per cent received only a secondary school diploma
• 11 per cent have a trade certificate or diploma
• 18 per cent have a certificate or diploma from a community college or CEGEP
• One per cent have a teaching certificate
• 10 per cent have some university but no degree
• Five per cent have a university certificate or diploma below bachelor
• 11 per cent have a bachelor or first professional degree
• Five per cent have a graduate or professional degree above bachelor level

How Many Are Having Success?

Many of the unemployed are simply not going to job interviews:

• 44 per cent have not been on one interview in the last month
• 17 per cent have been on one interview
• 16 per cent have been on two interviews
• Seven per cent have been on three interviews

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Seventy-two per cent of the long-term unemployed (unemployed more than 24 months) have had no interviews in the last month. In the past year, 35 per cent of the long-term unemployed have not had an interview.

Who Do They Blame For Their Unemployment?

Many unemployed in Canada hold themselves responsible for being unemployed:

• 43 per cent blame themselves
• 39 per cent blame the economy
• 25 per cent blame their last boss
• 16 per cent blame the government
• 17 per cent blame someone/something else

Employment Insurance

Twenty-nine per cent of unemployed Canadians are currently receiving employment insurance benefits and 58 percent of the unemployed agree with the statement, "I haven't had to look for work as hard knowing I have some income to rely on." Forty-two percent do not agree at all.

Addressing the Skills Gap

The research suggests the unemployed have a significant gap in the skills they report having, compared to what they believe employers are looking for. Those who have been out of work for more than two years are less likely to think they have the appropriate verbal or written communication skills, can handle stress, and have time management, critical thinking or interpersonal skills. They are also less likely than those more recently unemployed to say they have the technological, leadership and persuasion skills employers are seeking. They did not rate themselves higher on any skill set than those who had been unemployed for two years or less.

To view the graph associated with this release, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/eep_3.jpg

Survey Methodology

This study was conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals and included 1,837 Canadian adults aged 18 or older who are unemployed but capable of working (whether or not they receive unemployment compensation benefits). Excluded are those who are currently retired, choose to stay at home, or are unable to work due to long-term disability. The survey was conducted between April 7 and April 29, 2015.

Results were weighted as needed for age by gender, education, race/ethnicity, region and household income. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online. Totals may not equal the sum of their individual components due to rounding. No estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated; a full methodology is available.

If you would like to arrange for an interview with Bob Funk to discuss this topic, please contact Kellie Major at (613) 222-7488.

About Robert A. Funk

Robert A. "Bob" Funk is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the international staffing company has nearly 700 franchises in the U.S., Canada and South Africa. Under his leadership, Express has put more than five million people to work worldwide. Funk served as the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and was also the Chairman of the Conference of Chairmen of the Federal Reserve.

About Express Employment Professionals

Express Employment Professionals puts people to work. It generated $2.85 billion in sales and employed more than 456,000 people in 2014. Express ranks as the largest franchised staffing company in the United States and the second largest privately held staffing company in North America. Its long-term goal is to put a million people to work annually. Express launched in Canada in July 1996, with a franchise in London, Ontario, and since then, has expanded and grown across Canada significantly. There are currently 36 Express franchises in Canada - five in British Columbia, five in Alberta, two in Saskatchewan, 23 in Ontario and one in Nova Scotia.