Due to concern about the potential loss of intellectual capital as Baby Boomers creep towards retirement, many organizations are looking to rehire retirees in 2008. This trend is fourth on a list of seven major hiring trends expected this year.

Job site CareerBuilder.ca says one-third of employers (36%) share this concern, and 22% say they are likely to rehire retirees from other companies in 2008. Another 23% are likely to provide incentives for workers at, or approaching retirement age to stay on with the company longer.

At the same time, some workers have expressed interest in postponing retirement -- almost 1-in-3 (30%) employers say they have received requests from workers approaching retirement age to stay on with their company.

The survey polled 281 hiring managers and 551 Canadian employees for its annual job forecast.

Other trends include:

• Higher pay: 84% of employers will increase salaries for existing employees in 2008; 50% will dish out raises of up to 3%; 25% anticipate increases of 5% or more.
• More flexibility: 66% of employers report they currently offer flexible schedules to employees; 46% percent will provide more flexibility in 2008, including compressed work weeks, summer hours, job sharing and telecommuting.
• Online screening: 19% of employers say they are likely to start using or increasing their use of employment search and social networking Websites to research job candidates in 2008.

Almost half of employers (46%) plan to hire more full-time people this year, while 28% will increase part-time staff. Employers plan to hire professional and technical staff (40%), while 20% cited administrative/clerical positions, and 5% will target management positions.