A significant number of businesses across the UK still don't have a thorough understanding of the skills and abilities of their employees, it has been revealed.

Suggesting that many firms are continuing to neglect pre-employment screening, the research carried out for the latest UK Talent Intelligence Survey from the Taleo Corporation found that around half of all companies are unsure if they have the necessary skills in-house to follow through with their business goals.

Furthermore, 56 per cent of those businesses polled for the study admitted that they lack thorough data concerning who are their best-performing workers and who could benefit the firm through being promoted.

Commenting, Taleo vice president Alice Snell said: "managers and HR recognise the need for up-to-date information on all aspects of the workforce; from an employee’s previous experiences to their career ambitions and current performance levels".

She added, however, that many firms lack the necessary data for keeping on top of this, suggesting some may potentially be turning to outside contractors to fill their internal skills gaps.

At the end of last year, Taleo reported that growing numbers of UK employees are seeing bonuses as being more dependant upon company performance than individual performance.