Turnover Overstated: The Functional Taxonomy

The issue is the measurement of turnover. The traditional reliance on a metric derived from a dichotomy which describes turnover as either voluntary or involuntary has the clear effect of overstating the gravity of turnover for any organization. It also serves to perpetuate the notion that voluntary turnover invariably is detrimental to the organization. A taxonomy, which introduces the notions of functional turnover and managerial control that may reduce this tendency, is suggested. Implications for practitioners and organizational theorists are discussed.