Economic pressures and AI adoption drive workforce changes

A recent survey by Littler reveals that 77% of Canadian employers have implemented workforce changes in response to economic and trade pressures. Common measures include suspending or reducing hiring (46%), layoffs or staff reductions (35%), and increased use of automation or artificial intelligence to decrease labor needs (28%). Notably, 83% of employers who took workforce actions cited disruptions from U.S. tariffs as a contributing factor.

Separately, a Wellhub study on workplace well-being highlights a different trend regarding AI. Employees identified as “pioneers”—those with high proficiency in AI—are more likely to experience increased workloads. Approximately 40% of these pioneers report a rising workload, often because they are tasked with assisting colleagues in adopting the technology while maintaining their own responsibilities. This increased pressure and higher levels of daily exhaustion make these skilled employees more likely to leave their companies.