Precarious work takes toll on millennials
McMaster study shows they’re worried
AT AGE 26, Liz Enriquez’s working life has always been precarious.
Like many other millennials, Enriquez cycles from one contract position to the next. Sometimes she has benefits and vacation privileges, sometimes not.
“It’s definitely a stressful period when I’m waiting to find out if a contract is renewed,” said Enriquez, who attended high school in Waterdown then graduated from McMaster University.
The irony of her current job is not lost on her — she researches the labour market for a provincially-funded agency.
“I feel like I just have to come to terms with the reality of jobs and the job market these days,” Enriquez said.
It’s a reality that appears to be growing increasingly grim, according to a comprehensive new Hamilton-based survey.
Nearly nine out of 10 millennials in Hamilton believe the economic situation is getting harder for their generation compared with previous generations.
What’s surprising is that the results were consistent whether the millennials were employed in stable and secure jobs or precarious ones.
The Hamilton millennials survey was prepared for the Hamilton Community Foundation by McMaster researchers.
“The rise of precarious work has definitely had an impact on Hamilton millennials.” JEFF MARTIN STUDY AUTHOR
More than 1,800 people participated in the survey, which included nearly 90 questions and focused on millennials in the workforce.
When the survey looked more broadly to the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, the results pointed to some worrying mental health trends among millennials, defined as those born between 1982 and 1997.
More than 25 per cent of millennials working in the GTHA reported their mental health was less than good, compared to just five per cent of those between the ages of 35 to 65.
Nearly 30 per cent of GTHA millennials stated they often feel depressed as a result of work, compared to just seven per cent of those between 35 and 65.
“It’s quite shocking, to be honest with you,” said McMaster University labour professor Wayne Lewchuk, who supervised the millennial study.
“The game is getting harder,” he said, “the labour market is getting more challenging, a lot of them are carrying pretty sizable debt from school, a lot of them are not tapping into high-paying jobs that allow them to either pay that debt or get housing or start a relationship, and they’re stressed over their future prospects.”
Added Jeff Martin, the study’s author: “The rise of precarious work has definitely had an impact on the lives of Hamilton millennials — not only their sense of belonging and volunteering, but also their general and mental health, quality of life and financial security.”
Terry Cooke, CEO of the Hamilton Community Foundation, said the level of despondency expressed by the city’s millennials about their future prospects “should cause us some concern.”
“Given the optimism many are feeling about Hamilton, that’s a dark shadow that we have to wrestle with,” said Cooke.
“They feel good about the future here but not necessarily with their own professional future,” he added.
At a broader level, Cooke said governments need to address the issue of precarious employment and benefits. Locally, he suggested, Hamilton can continue to explore how to make the city a fertile place for private sector job creation.
“We haven’t always been a great place for nurturing and supporting businesses,” he added.
Despite the challenges, Lewchuk said, the survey shows millennials are quite integrated in the community. They volunteer at rates consistent with the rest of the population, they attend social and professional events and they take advantage of networking opportunities.
“You hear a lot about Hamilton and people don’t want to be here and there aren’t any prospects,” said Lewchuk. “For the most part, though, they like being here.
“For someone who’s been here now for 35 years, my sense is that’s a shift,” Lewchuk added.
While her jobs continue to be precarious, Enriquez believes millennials in the city can thrive if they’re creative and can adapt.
“I think Hamilton is super supportive of people creating their own opportunities, and there are examples of people succeeding,” she said. “There is hope out there.”