Lack of dispersed workforce options limits Canadian businesses when it comes to top talent

Canadian companies must consider alternative working structures and technologies in order to attract and retain top talent, according to the results of a new poll conducted by Ipsos-Reid and commissioned by Microsoft Canada.

The survey reveals that three quarters of Canadians believe that businesses limit their access to the talent pool by not offering dispersed workforce options. In addition, nine out of 10 Canadians agree that they would rather not relocate for a job, according to the report.  

The report also found that 87 per cent of Canadians are hungry for technology that will help them get the job done from any location. Additionally, 84 per cent of Canadians polled feel that location can be a barrier from securing the best job, while 88 per cent of Canadians agree that technology should help people avoid the need to relocate for work.

"Canadian workers have historically been bound by the location of their employer. Today though, workers have become upwardly mobile and dispersed across a massive geographical area as the scope of business expands across borders," says Dr. Kevin Stolarick, Research Director, Martin Prosperity Institute, Rotman School of Management. "Companies looking to compete in our global economy need to provide employees with the tools to embrace the globalization of business and communicate and collaborate in real time regardless of location."  

Technologies such as “unified communications” are enabling Canadian business to communicate and collaborate in real time, regardless of geographic boundaries.

For more information on Microsoft Canada, please visit www.microsoft.ca.