Factors that influence the retention of middle managers in Company A

Abstract

Company A has experienced high voluntary staff turnover at middle management level between 2007 and 2009. During this period 35% of middle managers have resigned and, this has resulted in significant financial costs being incurred. This research focused on understanding what factors would make the current middle managers stay in Company A’s employment and what the financial impact has been due to these resignations. The research concluded that career development, people development by line manager, feedback of own work, a line manager who teaches and coaches subordinates, and working with a knowledgeable line manager, were the top five factors that would make the current middle managers stay in Company A’s employment. The research further concludes that there was a gap between Company A’s retention initiatives and what the middle managers actually value, thus the resignations. The research has also established that the middle managers’ resignations have had a significant financial impact on the organisation.