Employee Turnover in a Local Government Department

This study explored employee turnover in a local government department in Limpopo Province, South Africa. A cross-sectional mixed method design (questionnaires, key informant interview, focus group and document analysis) was used to collect employee turnover data from a stratified sample of participants as well as key role players in the department under investigation. The results of the study show a high overall employee turnover rate and high turnover among younger employees, females and employees in specific job categories. Job dissatisfaction in the department is attributed to poor compensation and better job offers elsewhere, inferior working conditions, and a lack of promotional opportunities. Low job satisfaction is attributed to problematic interpersonal relationships and the autocratic management style of supervisors. The findings of the study provide evidence of the most pressing turnover problems that a government department in a less affluent geographic region experiences. The impact of job satisfaction and job dissatisfaction on the productivity, efficiency and service delivery of a government department is highlighted. A number of human resource practices are recommended to manage employee retention in the department. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n2p141