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Employment and Working Conditions

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Employment is a social determinant of health. A person who is paid and has a job or a business is considered employed.^[1]

Working conditions include work hours, breaks, work scheduling and compensation. The physical conditions and mental demands of a person's employment are also considered working conditions.^[2]

Why is this important?

Earning a fair wage and good working conditions are important. People with low-wage jobs, including those who work full-time and those who are precariously employed (this could be part-time or temporary work, or self-employment) may not make enough money to afford their daily needs. When a person has a job or business, they receive income that they can spend on daily living expenses. Being employed also contributes to a sense of identity and provides a daily routine. Extreme working conditions are connected to increased stress. Working long hours is connected to sleep deprivation, high blood pressure and heart disease.^[3]

Indicators

Employment

Measure: Labour Force Participation Rate

The labour force participation rate is calculated by dividing the labour force by the total population of people 15 years and older. The labour force includes people who are employed and people who are unemployed.^[4]

The labour force participation rate is available monthly for the Guelph Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) and annually for the Kitchener-Waterloo-Barrie (KWB) Economic Region which includes Guelph and Wellington County. The KWB Rural Economic Region excludes the Guelph, Barrie, and Kitchener/Cambridge/Waterloo CMAs.

Key Findings

From 2011 to 2022, the labour force participation rate in the Guelph CMA was generally higher than the provincial rate. From July 2021 to June 2022, the labour force participation rate ranged from 70.3% of the population of the Guelph CMA to 73.8%. Over the same timeframe, the labour force participation rate for Ontario ranged from 64.6% to 65.5%.

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*The Guelph CMA includes the City of Guelph, Puslinch and Guelph/Eramosa Township.

Source: Statistics Canada. Table 14-10-0380-01 Labour force characteristics, three-month moving average, seasonally adjusted. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1410038001 (accessed July 13, 2022).

In 2021, the average annual labour force participation rate for KWB Economic Region was 64.3%. In the same year, the labour force participation rate was 70.5% for the Guelph CMA and 64.9% for Ontario. From 2011 to 2021, the average annual labour force participation rate for the KWB Rural Economic Region was consistently lower than the participation rate for the Guelph CMA. After a decrease from 2019 to 2020, the labour force participation rate increased from 2020 to 2021 for the KWB Rural Economic Region, Guelph CMA, Ontario and Canada.

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*The KWB Rural Economic Region includes rural areas in the Kitchener-Waterloo-Barrie Economic Region, including Wellington County.

**The Guelph CMA includes the City of Guelph, Puslinch and Guelph/Eramosa Township.

Sources:

Statistics Canada. Table 14-10-0385-01 Labour force characteristics, annual. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/cv.action?pid=1410038501 (accessed July 13, 2022).
Statistics Canada. Table 14-10-0393-01 Labour force characteristics, annual. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/cv.action?pid=1410039301 (accessed July 13, 2022).

Why is Labour Force Participation Important?

The labour force participation rate provides information about what percentage of the population (15 years and older) are working and/or available to work if and when a job opportunity presents itself. A decrease in the labour force participation rate signifies an increase in the number of people who are unavailable and/or unable to work.

Limitations and Data Notes

The annual labour force participation rate is not available for Wellington County on its own. The monthly labour force participation rate was seasonally adjusted, while the annual labour force participation rate was not seasonally adjusted.

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Please download the excel file below for more information about:

Key definitions
Labour force participation rates for all CMAs in the local Economic Region

Download Full Dataset

Government Financial Assistance

Financial assistance "includes income support to help with the costs of basic needs, like food, clothing, and shelter, as well as health benefits for individuals and families".^[5] People need government financial assistance when they are not employed and can't afford the daily costs of living. It is hard for people who receive social assistance to pay for basic needs like food and housing.^[6]

Measures:

Ontario Disability Support Program Cases and Beneficiaries

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) is government financial assistance for people 18 years and older with an ongoing physical or mental disability that makes it difficult for them to work, care for themselves or participate in their community. They also do not have enough income or assets to pay for daily living expenses.^[7] One ODSP case is an open or active file for one ODSP recipient. Beneficiaries are individuals who are the dependents of the person who receives the ODSP. Dependents may include spouses, dependent adults or dependent children.

Key Findings

The annual average number of Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) cases and beneficiaries is going up. From 2013 to 2021, the average annual number of cases and beneficiaries increased by 27% and 25% (respectively). When comparing the percent increase in ODSP cases from 2016 to 2021 with population growth in Guelph and Wellington for the same timeframe, the ODSP caseload increased more than the overall population.

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*Wellington County includes the City of Guelph.

Source: Ministry of Community and Social Services, Social Assistance Operations Performance Report for Wellington CMSM, December 2018.

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Number of cases and beneficiaries
Percent change in population from 2011 to 2021

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Ontario Works Caseload

This measure provides a count of the number of Ontario Works cases, as well as the percent of Ontario Works cases by family composition.

Key Findings

From 2011 to 2019, the OW caseload in Guelph and Wellington County steadily increased (with slight a decrease in 2017 and 2018 from the previous year). In 2020 and 2021, there was a sudden and dramatic drop in the OW caseload.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) program^[8], later replaced by other benefits under Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan^[9], provided support to individuals facing financial hardship as a result of the pandemic. Between April 2020 and October 2021, many OW clients with recent employment history were able to exit OW assistance and instead receive these federal benefits. While this may have contributed to the decline of OW caseloads during that time, caseloads began to increase again in November of 2021.

When comparing the percent increase in Ontario Works cases from 2011 to 2016 with population growth in Guelph and Wellington County for the same timeframe, the OW caseload increased more than the overall population (13.7% increase in cases compared to 6.9% increase in population). From 2016 to 2021, the OW caseload decreased while the population increased; however, this should be interpreted with caution due to the impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Sources:

Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, Social Assistance Operations Performance Report for Wellington Consolidated Municipal Services Manager (CMSM). Updated to December 2021.
Corporation of the County of Wellington. (2018). Ontario Works Caseload Profile 2017. https://www.wellington.ca/en/social-services/resources/Ontario_Works/Caseload-Profile-2017-FINAL.pdf
Corporation of the County of Wellington. (2016). 2016 Ontario Works Caseload Profile: A Demographic analysis of the County of Wellington's Ontario Works Caseload.

Single individuals (without children) were consistently more likely to receive OW support than other family types. From 2011 to 2021, the proportion of OW cases that were single individuals ranged from 58.7% to 65.4%. After single individuals, sole support families were the second most common family type to receive OW support, accounting for 27.3% to 32.7% of OW cases between 2011 and 2021.

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*There were no data available for 2015.

**Sole support refers to a single parent with one or more dependent children.

Sources:

Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, Social Assistance Operations Performance Report for Wellington Consolidated Municipal Services Manager (CMSM). Updated to December 2021.
Corporation of the County of Wellington. (2018). Ontario Works Caseload Profile 2017. https://www.wellington.ca/en/social-services/resources/Ontario_Works/Caseload-Profile-2017-FINAL.pdf
Corporation of the County of Wellington. (2016). 2016 Ontario Works Caseload Profile: A Demographic analysis of the County of Wellington's Ontario Works Caseload.

Limitations

Comparing recent data to data from before November 2014 should be done with caution due to the changes in the methods and tools used to record information. Comparing data from 2020 and 2021 to previous years should also be done with caution due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and related federal financial benefit programs.

Looking for more information?

Please download the excel file below for more information about:

Number of cases by family composition
Percent change in population from 2011 to 2021

Download Full Dataset

Why are Government Financial Assistance Rates Important?

Tracking the need for financial assistance is part of understanding economic security and long-term unemployment. This information can be used to inform the supports and services that may be needed in an area.

Unemployment

Measure: Unemployment Rate

People are considered unemployed when they do not have paid work but are available and actively looking for work. The labour force includes both people who are employed and those who are unemployed. The unemployment rate is calculated by dividing the number of people who are unemployed by the total labour force.^[1]

Key Findings

In general since 2011, the unemployment rate for the Guelph CMA has been lower than the provincial rate and has often been the lowest or among the lowest of all CMAs across the country. However, from September 2017 to January 2018, the unemployment rate for the Guelph CMA was slightly above the Ontario rate. The Guelph CMA also experienced a higher unemployment rate than Ontario when the unemployment rate increased during the COVID-19 pandemic (April to August 2020 and March to June 2021). These increases coincided with job losses across Canada due to the restrictions put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19.

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*The Guelph CMA includes the City of Guelph, Puslinch and Guelph/Eramosa Township.

From 2011 to 2020, the annual unemployment rate was consistently lower for the KWB Rural Economic Region and the Guelph CMA when compared to Ontario and Canada. In 2021, the unemployment rate in the KWB Rural Economic Region was higher than Canada (although it remained lower than Ontario). The unemployment rate in the Guelph CMA remained lower than Ontario and Canada in 2021.

From 2019 to 2020, the unemployment rate increased notably in all regions, which coincided with job losses across Canada due to the restrictions put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19. From 2020 to 2021, the unemployment rate decreased for all regions except for the KWB Rural Economic Region where the unemployment rate continued to increase.

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*The KWB Rural Economic Region includes rural areas in the Kitchener-Waterloo-Barrie Economic Region, including Wellington County.

**The Guelph CMA includes the City of Guelph, Puslinch and Guelph/Eramosa Township.

Sources:

Statistics Canada. Table 14-10-0385-01 Labour force characteristics, annual. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/cv.action?pid=1410038501 (accessed July 13, 2022)
Statistics Canada. Table 14-10-0393-01 Labour force characteristics, annual. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/cv.action?pid=1410039301 (accessed July 13, 2022)

Why is Unemployment Important?

Unemployment impacts individuals, families and communities. High rates of unemployment can lead to decreased labour productivity. Not having a job is connected to higher rates of stress, physical and mental health issues, poverty, crime, negative health outcomes, decreased self-esteem and feelings of being left out.^[3,10]

A low unemployment rate is an indicator of a strong local economy. The unemployment rate is best understood by also considering the labour force participation rate, as well as the types of jobs and working conditions that are available for people.

Limitations

The annual unemployment rate for Wellington County on its own is not available, therefore it is not possible to identify changes in unemployment that may be unique to Wellington County.

Looking for more information?

Please download the excel file below for more information about:

Key definitions
Unemployment rates for all CMAs in the local Economic Region

Download Full Dataset

References

[1] Statistics Canada. (2008). Labour Force. http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/81-004-x/def/4153361-eng.htm

[2] International Labour Organization. (n.d.). Working conditions. http://www.ilo.org/global/topics/working-conditions/lang--en/index.htm

[3] Mikkonen, J., & Raphael, D. (2010). Social Determinants of Health: The Canadian Facts. Toronto: York University School of Health Policy and Management. http://www.thecanadianfacts.org/The_Canadian_Facts.pdf

[4] Statistics Canada. (2017). Section 1: Concepts and definitions. http://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/dai/btd/sad-faq/sec1

[5] Government of Ontario. (2022). Ontario Works. https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-works

[6] Lankin, F., & Sheikh, M. A. (2012). Brighter Prospects: Transforming Social Assistance in Ontario. A Report to the Minister or Community and Social Services. https://www.crwdp.ca/en/commission-review-social-assistance-ontario

[7] Government of Ontario. (2022). Ontario Disability Support Program. https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-disability-support-program

[8] Government of Canada. (2021). Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB): Closed. https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html

[9] Government of Canada. (2022). COVID-19: Financial support for people, businesses and organizations. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html

[10] The Conference Board of Canada. (2017). Unemployment Rate. http://www.conferenceboard.ca/hcp/details/economy/unemployement-rate.aspx