TURNOVER IS ABOUT JOB FIT

We are often asked, what causes employee turnover?

Unfortunately, the answer is complex. Lots of factors influence turnover.

Fundamentally, it's about 2 things:

1. THE JOB'S CHARACTERISTICS
2. THE PERSON'S CHARACTERISTICS

Obviously, a job's characteristics influence turnover (e.g., the pay, boss, culture, job duties, etc.)

That's why some jobs have higher turnover than others.

BUT that's only half the equation.

What's more important than the job is how much the employee's characteristics align (or don't align) with the job.

If you think the person doesn't also matter...

Notice how much turnover varies across DIFFERENT employees in the SAME job.

That's because people are different. And as long as people are different, 'one man's trash will be another man's treasure.'

We all hope the characteristics of a job will improve over time.
Just as we hope the characteristics of those we hire also improve.

Hire as if they won't. Make sure the person matches the job.