The ADP Canada monthly Happiness@Work Index sees workers’ sentiments rise in January as recognition and support grow. Workers in Canada are happy with their current employer, with only 9 percent actively pursuing a move to a different company within their industry this year. The National Work Happiness Score for January 2024 is 6.7/10, representing an increase of 0.1 points from December. 

January 2024 Happiness@Work Index Highlights

  • National Work Happiness Score: 6.7/10 (+0.1) *
  • Indicator Breakdown
    • Primary Indicator: 6.9/10 (+0.1) *
    • Secondary Indicators:
      • Work-Life Balance & Flexibility: 6.8/10 (+0.1) *
      • Recognition & Support: 6.6/10 (+0.2) *
      • Compensation & Benefits: 6.1/10 (NC) *
      • Options for Career Advancement: 5.9/10 (NC) *

In January, the primary indicator of worker happiness increased to 6.9/10, a 0.1 point increase from December. Forty-four percent of workers in Canada feel satisfied with their current role and responsibilities. Work-life balance & flexibility (6.8/10) continues to be the top secondary indicator, but recognition and support (6.6/10) saw the most significant increase this month following its lowest recorded score in December. The Index also reveals Boomers (7.1/10) remain the happiest generation for the 13th consecutive month. Regionally, Québec (6.8/10) remains in the top spot; however, Ontario (6.6/10) was the only region in January to record an increase in their Regional Work Happiness Score.

National Work Happiness Score: Generational Snapshot

  • Boomers (59+): 7.1/10 (+0.2) *
  • Gen-Z (18-26): 6.7/10 (-0.1) *
  • Millennials (27-42): 6.6/10 (+0.1) *
  • Gen-X (43-58): 6.5/10 (+0.1) *

Regional Work Happiness Score Snapshot

  • Québec: 6.8/10 (-0.1) *
  • British Columbia: 6.7/10 (-0.2) *
  • Atlantic Canada: 6.7/10 (NC) *
  • Ontario: 6.6/10 (+0.2) *
  • Alberta: 6.6/10 (NC) *
  • Sask/Manitoba: 6.4/10 (-0.1) *

Additionally, this month, the Index reveals that more than one-third of workers in Canada are actively planning to develop new skills in 2024 (38%) and earn a higher salary within their company (36%). Notably, career goal setting is most apparent amongst Gen-Z workers, with 50 percent actively planning to develop new skills and just under half (44%) striving to earn a higher salary in their company this year. Gen-Z workers are also most interested in entrepreneurship, with just under a quarter (22%) wanting to start their own business in 2024.

*Variation against December 2023 scores