Analytics · HR glossary

Voluntary Attrition

Voluntary attrition refers to departures initiated by employees, usually through resignation. How retirement, mutually agreed exits or other categories are treated should be defined in the reporting method.

Example

Five employees resign during a quarter, while two are dismissed. Under a resignation-based definition, the voluntary-departure count is five.

What to keep in mind

Record the actual exit category and avoid guessing motives. A resignation may reflect several factors, and a voluntary label does not establish that the employee had no workplace concerns.

Further reading

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