Employers report staff working longer hours

More than half of all employers say their staff have been working more hours than normal for the past three years.

Some 43% said they expected to maintain that pace over the next three years, according to the 2012-2013 Global Talent Management and Rewards Study by Towers Watson.

Aside from a heavier workload, the majority of respondents (72%) cited problems retaining critical-skill employees, with almost six in 10 companies reporting this challenge. A similar proportion reported difficulty also retaining high-potential employees and top performers (60% and 59% respectively).

In addition, less than half of employees (47%) said their organisation does a good job of explaining their base pay programmes, and only 42% believed there was a clear link between their job performance and their pay.

The study also found that employers that have segmented the workforce and customised Employee Value Propositions (EVPs) for critical employee segments were more than four times as likely to deliver highly engaged staff than more tactical, but less integrated EVPs.