Nearly a quarter of Canadian workers and almost twice as many generation Z are planning to change jobs in the next six months, according to a new survey by Randstad Canada.

The company surveyed over 3,500 workers, who said the main reasons for wanting to leave their current jobs were low compensation , the desire for a better work-life balance and a lack of growth opportunities. The top drivers varied by age and occupation, with older generations more likely to move on for better pay and digital talent more likely to leave due to a lack of professional growth.

“This year’s data reminds us that the foundation of the employer-employee relationship hasn’t fundamentally changed: workers want to be fairly compensated and able to live their lives outside of work,” Marie-Eve Robitaille, division president of professional talent solutions at Randstad Canada, said in a press release . “What has changed is how quickly they act when they feel those needs aren’t being met.”

Compensation and work-life balance also ranked at the top of Canadians’ priorities when choosing an employer.

“Our data shows that salary and work-life balance are actually tied as the two top priorities for Canadians. But the second an employee is forced to make a hard choice, a competitive salary wins every single time,” Marie-Pier Bedard, division president of operational talent solutions at Randstad Canada, said in an email. “Financial security is still the ultimate foundation of job security.”

Overall, eight in 10 workers said they value workplace benefits such as flexibility, time off and health and wellness. However, the value placed on salary increased with age, from 54 per cent of gen Z to 77 per cent of baby boomers. Women placed slightly more importance on salary (69 per cent) than men (62 per cent).

For employers, the gap between salary and employee wellbeing means they have to offer both to prevent turnover. “Navigating this doesn’t require employers to completely reinvent the wheel,” Bedard said. “It’s about building a sustainable, manageable day-to-day work environment.”

Despite the number of workers ready to change jobs, a majority of respondents rated their current employer positively on work-life balance.

“Employers should expect a highly competitive hiring season where candidates aren’t just daydreaming about finding something better — they are actively ready to jump ship,” Bedard said. “Because job-seeking intentions are outperforming actual historical moves, talent is going to gravitate toward companies that clearly deliver on what they value most.”

When exploring new job opportunities, most Canadians placed emphasis on in-person contact while underestimating referrals and social media.

Only 29 per cent of candidates said they used referrals, yet 27 per cent landed a job through them. Similarly, only about half said they were actively searching for jobs on Facebook even though 62 per cent had previously landed a job through the platform.

“Technology is great for starting the conversation, but it’s that authentic human interaction that seals the deal,” Bedard said.

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Canada posted a trade surplus for the third consecutive month in May, driven primarily by higher sulphur shipments. Data published by Statistics Canada on Tuesday showed total exports rose by 0.9 per cent to reach a record $77.1 billion in May, widening Canada’s trade surplus to $4.2 billion. Read more .

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Heather Evans become the next commissioner of revenue on July 13. If her steps are real ones, measured in outcomes rather than press releases, and if the government supplies the reform ambition that only Parliament can, then one small step for the Canada Revenue Agency might yet become a giant leap for taxpayers: a better tax system for the benefit of all Canadians, writes Kim Moody. Read more.

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McLister on mortgages

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Today’s Posthaste was written by Noella Ovid with additional reporting from Financial Post staff and Bloomberg.

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