Jobless rate up; more workers returning to office
Greater Victoria’s unemployment rate was 4.2% in February, up from 3.9% in January, according to the latest numbers from Statistics Canada.
The February Labour Force Survey also shows that more jobs were returning to the office, with 37.2% of people working most of their hours from home. That’s down 5.8% from January. Statistics Canada attributed the decline to easing of public health restrictions and an uptake in jobs difficult to do from home such as in accommodation, food services and retail.
“As employers implement return-to-office plans, a number of factors might influence their ability to attract and retain employees,” the survey said, noting tightening labour market, workers’ concerns about affordability, and a “desire to retain the flexibility and quality of employment associated with working from home.”
The February Labour Force Survey also shows that more jobs were returning to the office, with 37.2% of people working most of their hours from home. That’s down 5.8% from January. Statistics Canada attributed the decline to easing of public health restrictions and an uptake in jobs difficult to do from home such as in accommodation, food services and retail.
“As employers implement return-to-office plans, a number of factors might influence their ability to attract and retain employees,” the survey said, noting tightening labour market, workers’ concerns about affordability, and a “desire to retain the flexibility and quality of employment associated with working from home.”
