Staff Turnover

Occasional Friend, Frequent Foe, and Continuing Frustration

Abstract

Turnover appears to be a relatively simple concept. However, considerable confusion results when discussing turnover because of differences in how it is defined—what is counted, how it is counted, and how the rate of turnover is expressed. Turnover is also costly, although not enough attention is paid to turnover's cost because so much of it is indirect and thus not readily visible. There are a variety of causes of turnover, some which can be corrected and some which cannot be avoided. Reducing or otherwise controlling turnover requires continuing management attention to its causes and constant recognition of what can and should be controlled and what cannot be controlled. Ongoing attention to turnover is an essential part of the department manager's role.