Turnover and retention data: measure, read and act
Calculate turnover, retention and early-turnover rates with a stated denominator and period, read them fairly (small numbers, like-for-like periods, trends), protect the privacy of small groups, add what you learn from stay conversations, and turn the findings into actions you check. Uses the US BLS JOLTS definitions as an official-statistics example; your organization defines its own measures.
- Level
- Intermediate
- Length
- About 50 minutes
- Contents
- 3 lessons · 1 video · final exam
- Status
- Published · updated 1 Oct 2026
Skills you'll practise
- Calculate a turnover rate for a stated period from leavers and average headcount, and state the denominator
- Distinguish turnover, retention and early (first-year) turnover and calculate each
- Classify separations as voluntary, involuntary or other using a stated definition
- Identify misleading readings caused by small headcounts, different period lengths or a single data point
- Share workforce data without identifying individuals in small groups
- Plan stay conversations and turn themes into owned actions with a measure of success
Course outline
- 1.Turnover and retention dataVideo · 3 min
- 2.Measuring turnover and retentionLesson · 17 min
- 3.Reading the numbers fairlyLesson · 16 min
- 4.From data to action: stay conversations and follow-upLesson · 17 min
- 5.Turnover and retention data: measure, read and act: knowledge checkKnowledge check · 17 questions
- 6.Turnover and retention data: measure, read and act: practical exerciseKnowledge check · 1 question
- 7.Final exam8 questions · passing it completes the course, so people who already know the material can test out
Sources it draws on
The lessons and questions are written from these references, so learners can go back to the original.
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) definitions (US example)
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Handbook of Methods: JOLTS calculation (rates)
- General HR practice: fair process, confidentiality and documentation. Your own policies and local law apply; involve HR or legal advisers
See it with your own jobs and topics
Tell us about your team and we'll walk you through setup, from choosing jobs to your first skills check.