Turnover Among Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Blue-Collar Workers in the U.S. Navy's Civilian Work Force

Abstract Turnover rates and factors related to job turnover among Hispanic and non-Hispanic blue-collar employees in the U.S. Navy's civilian work force were investigated. When the subjects started their jobs they were administered a questionnaire assessing possible predictors of turnover, such as acculturation level, method of recruitment, importance of job-related factors, and geographic location considerations. The Hispanic subjects were classified into low-acculturation (LAH) and high-acculturation (HAH) groups. Each subject's employment status (e.g., left vs. remained in the job) was determined 1 year from the date of initial employment, and its relationship to the predictors was analyzed. The results indicated that acculturation was related to turnover. The turnover rate for LAHs was significantly higher than it was for HAHs or for non-Hispanic Whites. Turnover was also higher for Hispanics who found their jobs through friends or relatives than for Hispanics who found their jobs through formal channels.

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