‘Everything is going up but your wages remain the same’: Nonprofits struggling to hire and retain workers
A new report from Pillar Nonprofit Network and the Elgin Middlesex Oxford Workforce Planning and Development Board (EMOWPDB) found local businesses were slightly improving in their recovery over the last year while nonprofits are struggling.
Data collected from the regional EmployerOne Survey in January of this year showed that nonprofits have found it difficult to hire and retain qualified workers.
“The data shows that local nonprofit organizations are having real difficulty offering stable, well-compensated work,” said Paul Seale, manager of Public Policy, Advocacy, and Impact for Pillar Nonprofit Network. “As a major employer and economic driver in our region and a major social driver, a struggling nonprofit sector will likely slow recovery for the whole region.”
The new report found that 65 per cent of nonprofit employers reported much higher rates of employees quitting and permanent layoffs compared to businesses.
In addition, nonprofits found the COVID-19 pandemic and its negative impacts as a factor in retaining workers.
“It's been extremely challenging for recruitment and retention,” said John McVeigh, manager of accommodations with Community Living London, Ont., a nonprofit that assists people with developmental disabilities.
According to McVeigh, the organization lost 30 per cent of its workforce during the pandemic.
“But we’re always looking to grow and expand and there’s a huge wait list of people that needs supports which requires growth in your staff and not just keeping what you have,” he explained.
With less funding coming in, many nonprofit employers are having difficulty offering stable work with a higher salary to new or current employees.
“It's not just our operating costs rising but personal costs. My staff, their rent goes up, their grocery bill goes up, everything is going up,” said Deborah Armstrong, programs director at Nokee Kwe, an indigenous-led employment and education centre. “And yet, our funding remains the same and wages remain the same.”
The executive director for the EMOWPDB hopes this data will show local governments the need for economic recovery in the sector.
“With local unemployment rates at record lows, the region has a very competitive labour market. Any imbalance in organizations’ ability to compete will likely exacerbate current trends,” said Emilian Siman, executive director at EMOWPDB.
“This year’s data suggests that there are organizations in every sector that are challenged to meet their workforce needs, but while more businesses might be reaching that ‘cautious optimism’ stage we associate with pandemic recovery, more nonprofits are reporting real difficulties,” said Siman.
“I think we need to people to understand there needs to be investment in the sector in organizational costs and core costs,” Seale said. “But we’re optimistic.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend woman's life
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.