Montreal, March 17, 2026 — In 2026, a new confidence gap is emerging in the workplace: while 98% of Canadian employers are optimistic about their company’s growth over the next year, only 49% of workers share that confidence, highlighting a divergent perception of the economic outlook.

This is revealed in the latest Randstad Workmonitor 2026, which captures the perspectives of 27,000 talents and 1,225 employers across 35 markets worldwide. The study provides a unique lens on what we call the “Great Adaptation era”, a pivotal moment where talent and employers must collaborate to navigate a transforming market and thrive together.

AI adoption reshaping work while reactions remain mixed

57% of talent say it improves their productivity, compared with 44% of employers, and 62% feel confident using new technologies. In the engineering sector, 50% of talent report they are ready to integrate AI into their roles and 56% believe it frees up time for more fulfilling tasks, reflecting recognized potential alongside long-term caution.

trust, collaboration and team diversity as drivers of performance

Trust in leadership remains high (72% of talent) and 74% have a strong relationship with their direct manager. The Canadian workforce is “top-heavy” (Gen X: 38%, Millennials: 27%, Gen Z: 13%), underscoring the importance of knowledge sharing to combine experience with AI fluency. Furthermore, 73% of talent leverage colleagues from different generations to broaden their perspectives, while 100% of employers consider generational diversity a productivity lever.

job security redefined through flexibility and autonomy

Workers are increasingly seeking career security through diverse experiences rather than long-term loyalty, as 42% still prefer a traditional linear career path, while 35% opt for a “portfolio” career. Flexibility has become a central criterion, with 43% staying for work-life balance versus only 25% citing job security and 22% having already left a role due to lack of autonomy.

how employers can attract, engage, and retain talent in this context

Leverage trust in managers to conduct retention conversations and clarify career expectations
Implement an internal gig approach to meet interest in portfolio careers, providing project-based opportunities to develop new skills
Establish reverse mentorship by pairing Gen X risk expertise with Gen Z digital and AI fluency
Increase autonomy in work organization and performance measurement, focusing on results rather than logged hours, addressing flexibility expectations expressed by 44% of talent

navigating the employee value proposition in 2026

To mark the release of the report, Randstad Canada will host a webinar on March 26 at 10:30 a.m. ET to present the key findings. The discussion will cover the confidence gap between employers and talent, as well as trends reshaping work, from AI to evolving expectations around flexibility and career development. Register here.

For more details, please consult the Workmonitor 2026 report.

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