More than half (55%) of mining employers cut staff in 2015 and an additional 40% expect to cut in 2016, according to an industry survey by the recruiting firm Hays.
Under-staffed businesses are resulting in burnout and low morale, and current employees are "feeling pressure more than ever", says Hays.
While companies cut, employers in the resource and mining industry have expressed concern over growing skills shortages, with three quarters (76%) of employers identifying moderate to extreme issues around talent gaps.
Additional report highlights:
63 per cent of resource and mining employers are not actively hiring new graduates despite reports of a growing skills shortage2016 salary increases for resource and mining professionals are more modest than the previous year, with 21% reporting no increases compared to eight per cent in the previous yearAlmost three quarters (73%) of oil and gas employees experience moderate to extreme workplace pressure due to the lack of employees and skills presentWork from home options, pension/RRSP contributions and flexible work hours are the top-three incentives oil and gas employers want to add in an effort to attract talent