Influence of learning and working climate on the retention of talented employees

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate some factors that have an influence on employee retention. Based on the literature and previous research, both employee and organisational factors are taken into account. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected by means of a questionnaire that was distributed on a voluntary basis in professional organisations and among employees, both electronically and in hard-copy, during 2008-2009. The study sample consisted of 972 employees, mainly clerks, from diverse profit and social-profit organisations. Findings: The results show that when organisations want to retain their employees it is important to pay attention to the learning of employees. Letting people do more and learn more of what they are good at will encourage them to stay with the organisation. Results concerning the selected employee variables show that only age has a significant relationship with retention. Regarding the intention to stay, there exists a positive relationship between age and retention. Research limitations/implications: A limitation of this study is that both employee as organizational factors are measured through the perceptions of employees. The response set of subjects when responding to self-report measures could therefore be the result of a temporary mood, or could be the result of what may be considered as socially appropriate by the participants. Another limitation is that the questionnaire was voluntarily completed by the respondents; the researcher had therefore no information about the non-respondents. Originality/value: The paper focuses on the factors influencing employee retention.