This week, Steven Ayer and the Environics Institute for Survey Research published "The Burden of Care: Addressing Challenges in Employment in the Nonprofit Sector," a study of the pressing issues affecting nonprofit sector workers. The report reveals significant disparities in job satisfaction, job security, and other key factors affecting nonprofit sector employees.

The report analyzes data from four waves of the Survey on Employment and Skills, a project conducted by the Environics Institute for Survey Research, the Future Skills Centre, and the Diversity Institute at Toronto Metropolitan University.

The study bridges a critical knowledge gap about the circumstances of nonprofit sector workers, offering valuable guidance to nonprofit associations, employers, and employees while supplying essential data for organizations and policymakers striving to enhance working conditions in the nonprofit sector.

Key findings of the report include:

1. Low job satisfaction in the nonprofit sector: Workers in the nonprofit sector reported lower job satisfaction than their public and private sector counterparts. A notable 26% of nonprofit sector employees expressed being unsatisfied with their jobs, surpassing the 19% in the private sector and 17% in the public sector.
2. Critical demographic disparities in job satisfaction: Job satisfaction within the nonprofit sector shows significant disparities among various demographic groups. Notably, 31% of women in the nonprofit sector report being unsatisfied with their jobs, compared to 18% of men. Furthermore, 34% of workers aged 18 to 24 are unsatisfied, as are 35% of workers aged 25 to 34. Being unsatisfied with their job was also true of 34% of first-generation Canadians and a striking 40% of those with disabilities that significantly limit their daily activities.
3. Service workers the least satisfied: Job satisfaction in the nonprofit sector varies by occupation. Service workers in the nonprofit sector report the lowest job satisfaction, with 41% expressing dissatisfaction with their jobs. In contrast, managers within the nonprofit sector are the most satisfied, with only 15% reporting job dissatisfaction.
4. Precarious employment common: Nonprofit sector workers are more likely to face job insecurity, with 27% considering their jobs as temporary, compared to 13% in the private sector and 17% in the public sector. Additionally, part-time employment is more prevalent in the nonprofit sector, where 34% of workers are part-time compared to 18% in the private sector.
5. Income inadequacy: Nearly three-in-ten (29%) of nonprofit sector workers reported inadequate household income, highlighting challenges in meeting basic needs. This issue is not limited to the nonprofit sector, as 29% of private sector workers and 20% of public sector workers face similar challenges.
6. Diversity and discrimination: The nonprofit sector has a diverse workforce, employing more women, individuals under 35, racialized individuals, Indigenous people, and those with disabilities compared to other sectors. However, nonprofit sector workers reported higher incidents of discrimination and unfair treatment at work, especially among those with disabilities and racialized individuals.
7. Remote work preferences: The pandemic has made working from home the new normal for many nonprofit sector employees, with half working remotely at least part of the time. Most of those working from home prefer this arrangement and wish to continue.
8. Emphasis on collaboration: Collaborative skills are of paramount importance among nonprofit sector workers. They consistently identify collaborative skills as the most crucial aspect for career success, significantly surpassing the emphasis on these skills in other sectors. Additionally, nonprofit sector employees recognize the value of leadership, communication, technical skills, and adaptability as areas to improve to excel in their roles.

Visit the report website for more information.

Over four waves between February 2020 and April 2022, the survey collected responses from 12,285 workers spanning the public, private, and nonprofit sectors across all provinces and territories in Canada. The study combines data from a diverse group of respondents, including 639 nonprofit sector workers. The Survey on Employment and Skills is funded primarily by the Government of Canada’s Future Skills Centre.

The report was written by Steven Ayer, President of Common Good Strategies and one of Canada’s leading experts on the not-for-profit sector, and commissioned by the Future Skills Centre in collaboration with the Environics Institute. Steve@goodstrategy.ca