The Recruiting News
More U.S. Companies Having Difficulty Attracting Critical-Skill Employees
(October 11, 2011)
More U.S. Companies Having Difficulty Attracting Critical-Skill Employees, Towers Watson Survey Finds
Majority of companies expect employees to work more hours
With the U.S. economy still unsteady, most U.S. companies are finding it relatively easy to attract or retain workers, with one major exception -- critical-skill employees. A new survey from global professional services company Towers Watson and WorldatWork, an international association of human resource professionals, shows that for the second consecutive year, the number of U.S. companies having difficulty finding and keeping critical-skill workers has increased.
The Towers Watson Talent Management and Rewards Survey, a study of 316 North American companies, including 218 from the United States, also found that nearly two-thirds of respondents expect their employees to work more hours now than they did prior to the recession and see this trend continuing for some time. Additionally, respondents are concerned about the impact that organizational changes they made in response to the recession are having in areas such as employees' work/life balance, productivity and willingness to take risks. Most companies have already made or are planning to make additional changes to their reward and talent management, and other organizational, programs.
According to the survey, nearly six out of 10 U.S. companies (59%) reported problems attracting critical-skill employees this year. That is an increase from 52% last year and 28% in 2009. Forty-two percent also reported difficulty attracting top-performing employees. Additionally, more than one-third (36%) reported difficulty retaining critical-skill employees, an increase from 31% last year and 16% in 2009. Overall, only one in 10 companies is having difficulty attracting or retaining employees generally.
"Although economic conditions have improved and hiring rates have increased modestly since 2009, companies are experiencing difficulties finding and recruiting employees with critical skills," said Laura Sejen, global head of rewards consulting at Towers Watson. "Companies are taking longer to fill these positions, and more of them are open. There is clearly a greater-than-normal mismatch between the skills employers seek and those that are available in the marketplace. In short, despite the overall weakness in the job market, companies need a more appealing offering to attract critical-skill employees."
Employees Working More Hours
Nearly two-thirds (65%) of U.S. respondents report that employees have been working more hours over the past three years, and more than half (53%) expect this trend to continue over the next three years. Additionally, about one in three (31%) companies said their employees have been using less of their vacation or personal time off over the past three years.
The survey also found that more than half (56%) of U.S. companies are concerned about the long-term effects that changes they made during the recession will have on their employees' ability to maintain a healthy balance between work and their personal lives. And more U.S. employers are becoming concerned about employee productivity (39%) and their employees' willingness to take risks (37%). As a result, almost two-thirds (66%) of respondents have made 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.
"In the short run, having employees work extra hours can increase productivity, but in the long run, extended hours can negatively affect employee well-being and retention," said Laurie Bienstock, North America leader of rewards consulting at Towers Watson. "Employees at many organizations are already suffering from change fatigue. As a result, when the labor market does recover, companies can expect a sharp increase in voluntary turnover, especially if they do not address employee concerns, and deliver reward and talent management programs more effectively."
"Employees generally don't mind doing more with less especially when economic conditions are tough," said Ryan Johnson, CCP, Vice President of Research for WorldatWork. "But when this drags into multiple years, and they start to hear anecdotes of recovery, they become less understanding. At that point, the entire employee value proposition is crucial to retention."
About the Survey
The 2011 North American Towers Watson Talent Management and Rewards Survey was conducted in May and June of 2011, and includes responses from 218 companies in the United States and 98 companies in Canada. The participants represent a broad range of industries.
About Towers Watson
Towers Watson is a leading global professional services company that helps organizations improve performance through effective people, risk and financial management. The company offers solutions in the areas of employee benefits, talent management, rewards, and risk and capital management. Towers Watson has 14,000 associates around the world and is located on the web at towerswatson.com.
About WorldatWork
WorldatWork is a global human resource association focused on compensation, benefits, work/life and integrated total rewards to attract, motivate and retain a talented workforce. Founded in 1955, WorldatWork provides a network of more than 30,000 members in 100 countries with training, certification, research, conferences and community. It has offices in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Washington, D.C.
Permalink . - . Todays Bugler . - . Email this article . - . Readership Feedback
 |
|
| Where Top Candidates Seek Career Opportunities | |
| Call Center | CallCenterJobs.com |
| Drivers / Trucking | JobsInTrucks.com |
| Executive | RiteSite.com |
| General | JustJobs.com |
| Logistics | JobsInLogistics.com |
| Manufacturing | JobsInManufacturing.com |
| Retail | AllRetailJobs.com |
| Security Clearance | USADefenseIndustryJobs.com |
|
|
For more great articles - search our archives: Enjoy the Bugler and review the latest Recruiting Blogs.
Contacting Us:
interbiznet
Mill Valley, CA 94941
415.377.2255
colleen@interbiznet.com
Copyright © 2013 interbiznet. All rights reserved.
The Electronic Recruiting News
Sign-up to receive this newsletter in email each day. The interbiznet Bugler
Sign up and receive a concise, daily briefing on recruiting industry news.
ERN | Bugler | Blogs | Candidates | Advertise | HR Jobs | Recruiting News |
FEATURES:
FREE
EMAIL NEWSLETTERS:
- BUGLER
(Sign-up)
Industry News
- ERNIE
(Sign-up)
Industry Article
RECENT ARTICLES:
ERN
ARCHIVES
© 2013 interbiznet.
All Rights Reserved.