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workplace satisfaction

A university graduate overqualifed for his job as being dressed in a mascot outfit.Lisa F. Young/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Nearly half of Canadians feel they are overqualified for their current job, and that raises issues about how companies will be able to retain good employees if they aren't challenging them at work.

While 44 per cent of workers feel they are overqualified, however, two out of 10 Canadian employees say they are under qualified for their position, according to Randstad's latest Global Workmonitor report, which was released Wednesday and surveyed employees in 32 countries.

The survey also found that 45 per cent of Canadian employees see colleagues in a job that's above their educational level.

"It raises questions about how this will affect employee turnover and retention. Employers who want to keep their best people should be looking for more and better ways to keep them challenged, upwardly mobile and happy," Hanna Vineberg, vice-president of central Ontario with Randstad Canada, said in a statement.

"More experience is a good thing, and can likely bring value to your business. But as an employer it's important to make sure there is room for a person to grow and develop new skills – otherwise they will be bored," said Ms. Vineberg. "Employers now more than ever should be investing in the skills development and training that their employees value most."

Most workers want to do a variety of work and they want more autonomy with their jobs, she said.

"Get to know your employees' skills, goals, and aspirations, ask your employees for their input, rotate assignments or combine tasks, or help your employees set enrichment goals," Ms. Vineberg said. "When employees feel you're committed to their growth and enrichment, they'll commit to the organization and its goals."

Randstad conducted the survey in July and August via an online questionnaire of working adults between 18 and 65, with a minimum of 400 respondents per country.

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