Canadians believe working part-time is not a career killer
Findings from Randstad’s latest Global Workmonitor, surveying employees in 29 countries around the world, reveal that 50 percent of Canada’s male and 59 percent of female employees believe working part-time will not negatively impact their career opportunities.
Stacy Parker, Executive Vice President of Marketing at Randstad Canada, said, “Part-time or flexible work arrangements are a fantastic option for many job seekers that are challenged with work life balance or who struggle with the feeling of being tied down to one role. Many part-time workers enjoy multiple positions with different companies, which can add a great deal to one’s resume, experience and reputation.”
According to the findings, less than one third of the respondents worldwide work part-time. In the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Belgium and Sweden, less than 1 out of 10 employees work part-time.
North Americans share similar results. In Canada, 12 percent of male workers and 11 percent of female employees say they currently work part-time. In the US, 12 percent of male employees and 9 percent of female workers work part-time. China however, is in the lead with part-time jobs with an average of 35 percent, followed by Chile, India, Mexico, Italy and Argentina (between 27-21 percent).
China also tops other countries as an average of 72 percent of respondents state that they believe management positions should definitely be possible while working part-time, followed by Switzerland, Chile, India and Japan (54 percent or more). Canadian and US employees, however, strongly disagree. In Canada, 69 percent of male employees and 65 percent of female respondents state they do not believe working part time is possible in a management position. In the US, the majority of respondents also disagree (70 percent of male and 76 percent female).
Parker says that at the end of the day it’s important for jobseekers to look beyond the misconceptions and start seeing the many benefits that part-time work can provide.
“Part-time work should never be discounted as a great entry point into an organization, nor as a great way to prove your worth. Think about it this way… a new job is posted for the company you are working for part-time. Both you and external job seeker apply to the role. The chances are very much in your favor. You are the experienced resource, who already understands and fits in to the corporate culture,” she explains.
