A new report suggests Canadian firms are having trouble attracting skilled employees, and it may be because they are not attuned to what top talent wants.

Towers Watson says nearly two-thirds of the Canadian companies participating in an international survey said they had trouble attracting and retaining skilled and high potential employees.

The professional services firm suggested companies are not offering prospective workers what they most desire – a competitive pay base and job security.

Instead, employers are stressing challenging work and the organization’s reputation.

The survey also found that 47 per cent of the Canadian respondents indicated their employees are experiencing high levels of stress at work, and 65 per cent report their staff has been working more hours than normal the past three years.

The international survey of 1,605 companies, which contained a Canadian component, was conducted from April to June and represented a wide range of industries.