Labour force

Labour force initiatives to adapt to the future of work

Since its inception, ONN has continuously worked towards a strong and resilient nonprofit workforce where workers, employers, and communities are supported equally, rather than at the expense of each other. 

This vision is key. Our sector’s labour force is not only made up of the communities we are rooted in but is also critical for serving the same communities, from senior leaders and frontline workers to operational and program roles. If nonprofits can recruit and retain skilled people, they will be better positioned to fulfill their community-based missions. 

While building and deepening a decent work movement grounded in equity provides a framework and language to talk about what good work is, and the actions we can take at the organizational, network, and policy levels, labour force initiatives are different. Labour force initiatives, often stemming from a broader labour force strategy and workforce development plan, are tangible ways to mitigate our labour force crisis, and prepare for future disruptions.

What is a labour force strategy?

A sectoral labour force strategy, developed alongside nonprofits with labour market information and research mapping trends, addresses, mitigates, and prevents critical human resources issues, and proactively prepares our sector for the future of work. Often what comes out of the labour force strategy is a workforce development plan. This plan defines the skills and capabilities needed for future sector needs, identifies key gaps in the current workforce, and creates innovative strategies and programs to build, buy, borrow, and apply those capabilities, all with the worker at the centre.

Nonprofit labour force (HR) crisis

The nonprofit labour force, made up of people who weave together social infrastructure for communities to thrive, is facing a significant crisis due to the pandemic, and its fallout. Workers are leaving the sector at a high rate as nonprofits struggle to compete with each other, and across other sectors for people with all types of skills, expertise, and career experience. While labour force issues have always required the sector’s attention, this moment has created an unprecedented level of urgency. Workforce issues are impacting every part of the sector, across roles and functions, sub-sectors, and regions. 

The crisis is rapidly intensifying because:

• Resources to do the work are decreasing. 
• Design of funding structures prioritize project based roles, contributing to an environment of temporary contract work. 
• There are significant social, economic, and political shifts happening simultaneously. 
• Demand for services, particularly complex care, is high and causes staff burnout. 

ONN’s 2024 State of the Sector survey reveals that:

• Two in three staffed organizations (63%) continue to report they have trouble recruiting and retaining staff.
• It was often due to wage disparity (66%), uncompetitive compensation (56%), staff burnout (56%), and a general skills shortage (55%).
• About half (52%) say they have current vacancies.
• To fill gaps in staffing, many organizations are combining roles (48%), using volunteers (46%), or using external consultants (35%); these are solutions that can result in new challenges for organizations. 
• To improve recruiting, organizations are sweetening the pot with flexible working hours (59%), remote work options (58%), and higher salaries (55%) – all options that come with trade-offs as well.
• Organizations report difficulty in staffing for a range of skills, but the most common trouble areas are fundraising (42%) and IT / technical skills (34%).

The future of work – technological disruption causing rapid change in the nature of work – is bringing many opportunities and risks with it for the sector. If the sector is proactive, we can leverage the opportunities to shape our labour force to better meet our missions today and tomorrow, much like many other sectors. If we are not proactive we will be left behind.

Nonprofit labour force: What is ONN advocating for and how?

ONN is embarking on a few different initiatives to tackle the labour force crisis:

• Advocating for a sector-wide, province-wide labour force strategy and workforce development plan that is sector-driven, sector-owned, and government-supported. The strategy reflects the needs of our diverse sector, and is activated by networks and collectives at the local level. ONN launched a labour force strategy project to create and build pathways that strengthen the ability of Ontario’s nonprofit sector to recruit and retain workers.
• Providing thought leadership through research and analysis on topics like the future of work in nonprofits.
• Building and deepening a decent work movement grounded in equity
• Leveraging opportunities for relevant and up-to-date comprehensive labour market information on Ontario and Canada’s nonprofit sector.
• Driving innovative solutions (pensions, top-up fund) to alleviate current HR challenges compounded by the pandemic and external phenomena.

We are also advocating for the following policy initiatives:

1. Expansion of low-cost and/or free educational and training programs for nonprofit workers.
2. Targeted training and skills development initiatives for nonprofit workers to attain in-demand skills.
3. AI, data, and technology grant streams to assist nonprofits in adapting to technological change and better collecting and leveraging data.

Nonprofit labour force related reports

• 2024: Creating bold, thriving, sustainable nonprofit leadership requires disruption
• 2024: Exploratory learnings with post-secondary institutions and workforce planning boards across Ontario
• Shaping the Future Report (2013) (English / French)
• Shaping the Future Executive Summary (English / French)
• Human Capital Renewal in the Nonprofit Sector – Framing the Strategy report (2013)
• Not Working for Profit: A labour market description of the nonprofit sector in Toronto (2011)

Ways nonprofits can get involved

• Connect with us if you are working on labour force strategy initiatives, broader public policy initiatives, or if this focus area bubbles up for you and your networks. Put it on our radar to engage in potential collective advocacy efforts.
• Explore resources from our Labour Force Strategy Project, including videos and reports.
• Learn about how to create wage parity in community care.

Partners

• United Way Canada Centraide is developing a national labour force strategy for paid workers in the community services sector
• Skills for Success project is futureproofing the community service workforce by equipping nonprofits with skills and tools it needs to thrive and serve communities.
• Building Supports for the Gender-Based Violence Workforce by the Ending Violation Association of Canada is particularly highlighting labour force strategy needs for Canada’s GBV workforce.