Staffing shortage forces Canadian employers to reverse vaccine mandates
Canada’s tight labor market is forcing many companies to overturn previously announced vaccine mandates and offer regular COVID-19 testing, even as Omicron variant cases rise.
Official data shows that job vacancies in the country have doubled this year. Vaccine mandates can make filling those jobs harder and may potentially put upward pressure on wages and fuel inflation.
Canadian Federation of Independent Business Chief Executive Dan Kelly said that an inoculation requirement could “cut out potentially another 20%” of applicants.
However, employing the unvaccinated has its pitfalls. Industry groups and marketing exports said that companies run a higher risk of COVID-19 outbreaks and many vaccinated employees are uncomfortable working with those who have not had the jab.
Last Friday’s data revealed that 153,700 jobs were posted last month — far above pre-pandemic levels. A growing mismatch between available workers and unfilled jobs is also happening in the country.
added in November.Data released on Friday underpinned Canada’s tight labor market, with a hefty 153,700 jobs added in November. It also showed a growing mismatch between available workers and unfilled jobs. And job postings are far above pre-pandemic levels.
