Canadian employees today value challenging, fulfilling work over earning more and climbing the corporate ladder by a margin of nearly two-to-one, according to a new Monster.ca poll. 

The online survey, in which 4,721 Canadians participated, asked visitors to Monster.ca the following question: "What do you value most as an employee?" 

More than half — 53% — chose the following response: "Challenging work that is fulfilling — the rest will follow."  

"It is interesting to note that while we are working harder than ever and enjoying a high standard of living in Canada, most Canadians working today say they value challenging work that's fulfilling, over the more basic returns of pay, status, and job security," said Peter Gilfillan, Monster Canada's VP of sales and general manager. 

"Today, perhaps more than ever, young workers in particular really know what they want and value, and we would advocate that as the most satisfying approach to both work and life," Gilfillan added. 

Fewer than one in three people (27%) responding to the survey on what employees value most chose "financial gain and advancement, even if it means working longer hours." 

About one in five survey participants, however, went with job security over either meaningful work or financial rewards, with 20% saying their priority is "job security, even if it means a less challenging role" at work. 

Meanwhile in Quebec, a challenging career seems to be an even higher priority among employees than in the rest of Canada, with

French-speaking workers choosing meaningful work over financial gain and advancement by a margin of more than four-to-one.