Retaining Talent: Replacing Misconceptions With Evidence-Based Strategies

Despite extensive scholarly research and organizational interest in employee turnover, there remains a gap between science and practice in this area. This article bridges this gap and replaces several misconceptions about turnover with guidelines for evidence-based retention management strategies focused on shared understanding of turnover, knowledge of cause-and-effect relationships, and the ability to adapt this knowledge and apply it to disparate contexts. We provide new tools such as an illustration of the relative strength of turnover predictors, a summary of evidence-based HR strategies for managing turnover, and a new framework for implementing evidence-based retention strategies. We conclude with a research agenda to build on this evidence-based understanding.

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