What defines voluntary turnover?

Voluntary turnover is defined specifically as the separation initiated by the employee's choice. This means that the decision to leave the organization comes from the employee rather than being a result of circumstances imposed by the employer. Employees may choose to resign for various reasons, including pursuing new job opportunities, seeking better working conditions, or transitioning to a different career path.

Understanding this definition is crucial because voluntary turnover can be indicative of employee engagement and satisfaction levels within an organization. When organizations experience high rates of voluntary turnover, it may signal potential issues regarding workplace culture, management effectiveness, or job satisfaction that need to be addressed to retain talent and ensure a stable workforce.

In contrast, separations initiated by the organization, mutual agreements, or those resulting from company downsizing fall outside the scope of voluntary turnover because they do not originate from the employee's decision-making process.