A FIRM-LEVEL ANALYSIS OF EMPLOYEE ATTRITION

Using a sample (n = 297) of private sector firms, this article conside rs the role that firm characteristics, work force characteristics, loc ation, and employee benefits practices have in explaining employee att rition. Hierarchical regression analyses suggest that benefit practice s are associated with turnover, even when controlling for firm charact eristics, firm setting, and work force characteristics. Specifically, firms where benefits were a higher percentage of total labor costs and firms whose benefits packages were described to be of higher quality experienced less attrition. Implications of the findings for human res ource management are discussed.