Most European firms are facing difficulties in attracting and motivating the critical-skill talent needed to help them rebound from recession, according to research from global professional services company Towers Watson.  

The research shows that 65% of companies globally report problems attracting critical-skill employees. Over half of firms on the Continent (58%) are facing these problems to a great or moderate extent, while 61% of European organisations report similar difficulties attracting top-performing employees.
 
The research also found the economic crisis forced companies 75% of firms to introduce hiring freezes, 63%, salary freezes (63%) and 57% into layoffs/redundancies.