Canadian Employers Report Difficulty Attracting Critical-Skill Employees

The Towers Watson Talent Management and Rewards Survey found almost six out of 10 Canadian companies (57%) report problems attracting critical-skill employees – compared to 20% for their workforce overall. Forty-three percent also have difficulty attracting top-performing employees. Additionally, more than one third (39%) are experiencing challenges retaining critical-skill employees.  

Overall, 60% of Canadian respondents report that employees have been working more hours over the past three years, and just under half (47%) expect this trend to continue over the next three years. Additionally, a quarter (25%) of the employers surveyed said their employees have been using less of their vacation or personal time off over the past three years.  

The study also found that almost half (48%) of Canadian organizations are concerned about the long-term effects of changes they made during the recession on their employees’ ability to maintain a healthy balance between work and their personal lives. Employees, who were surveyed separately, consistently ranked work-related stress as the top reason they would leave an organization.   

Given the ongoing economic and workforce pressures, almost two-thirds (62%) of Canadian organizations reported making significant changes in the HR area – reward and talent management strategies, organizational structure, job evaluation process, and competencies – and many expect to continue to do so.