What Is Employee Retention Rate? How To Calculate With Examples
Giftpack Logo
Giftpack Logo
Giftpack Logo

What Is Employee Retention Rate? How To Calculate With Examples

Calculating employee retention rate is crucial for understanding the health of your workforce. Discover step-by-step instructions and examples.

Tim Kuo

Tim Kuo

Jun 26th 202413 min read

man calculating Employee Retention Rate

Employee retention rate is critical to any organization's retention management strategy. Picture this: you have just spent weeks training a new hire, and before you know it, they leave, leaving you back at square one. Our article guides you to enhancing employee retention rates, preventing such scenarios, and ensuring a stable workforce. Higher retention rates mean greater productivity and, thus, higher profits.

Are you looking for ways to improve your employee retention rate? Giftpack's solution, Make Employee Appreciation Easier, can be a game-changer. This tool will help you retain your staff and simplify the task of providing the rewards your employees deserve, ensuring they stay engaged and motivated in the workforce.


What Is Employee Retention Rate?

woman doing some calculations - Employee Retention Rate

Employee retention rate refers to the percentage of employees who remain with a company over time. This metric is calculated by dividing the number of employees who stayed on staff from the beginning to the end of a specified period by the total number of staff at the beginning of that same period. This metric is a significant indicator of a company's HR health. High employee retention rates indicate a happy, stable workforce, while low rates may signal organizational issues.

Understanding Retention Rate

Measuring employee retention rates provides insights into how long team members stay on board and reveals the points in their careers when they typically leave. A high retention rate suggests employee contentment, while a low rate might point towards dissatisfaction or other concerns within the company. Analyzing this metric can help determine the effectiveness of recruitment strategies, staff development programs, employee satisfaction levels, and other HR functions.

Calculating Employee Retention Rate

To calculate the retention rate, divide the number of employees who stayed on staff from the beginning to the end of a specific time period by the total number of employees at the start of that same period. The result is multiplied by 100 to express the figure as a percentage. For instance, if a company starts the year with 150 employees, loses 30 during the year, and ends with 120 employees, the retention rate is calculated as follows: (120/150) x 100 = 80%.

Analyzing Employee Retention Rate

Regularly calculating and analyzing employee retention rates can help identify trends and patterns within a company's workforce. For example, if a business experiences a steady decline in retention rates over a few quarters, it might be time to investigate the root cause of this trend. High staff turnover can increase recruitment, training, and onboarding costs, potentially affecting the company's bottom line. Companies can proactively address concerns and improve employee satisfaction by monitoring retention rates.

Benefits of Employee Retention

High employee retention rates offer several benefits to organizations, such as lower recruitment costs, improved productivity, enhanced employee morale, and stronger company culture. A stable workforce allows for continuity in business operations and fosters a positive work environment. Long-tenured employees often possess valuable institutional knowledge that can benefit the entire organization.

Employee Retention Rate vs Turnover Rate

detailed discussion on Employee Retention Rate

Employee retention and turnover rates are crucial for businesses to monitor their workforce's health and organizational culture. While these terms may seem similar, they represent different aspects of employee dynamics. The retention rate reflects the percentage of employees who remain with the organization over a specific period. On the other hand, the turnover rate indicates the percentage of employees who leave the organization within a specific timeframe, either voluntarily or involuntarily.

Employee Retention Rate: Strategic Management of Workforce Stability

Employee retention rate measures the organization's ability to retain employees by creating an engaging work environment and implementing effective HR strategies. The formula for calculating the retention rate is simple: divide the number of employees who stayed with the company by the total number of employees.

A high employee retention rate suggests that the organization successfully creates a positive work environment, offers competitive salary packages, and implements engaging training programs, among other factors. A company with a high retention rate can build a stable and skilled workforce, improving productivity and increasing customer satisfaction.

Employee Turnover Rate: Understanding and Addressing Workforce Churn

Conversely, the employee turnover rate indicates the percentage of employees who leave a company within a specific time frame. This metric is essential for identifying underlying issues in the business, such as ineffective leadership, unsatisfactory work conditions, lack of growth opportunities, or insufficient compensation.

By calculating the turnover rate, businesses can identify the reasons why employees are leaving and implement measures to address them. A high turnover rate can harm an organization's growth and success, leading to increased recruitment costs, loss of valuable talent, decreased morale, and lower productivity levels.

Make Employee Appreciation Easier With Giftpack

At Giftpack, our driving force is to simplify the corporate gifting process while maximizing the impact of each gift. Utilizing our custom AI algorithm, we create highly customized scenario swag box options for you. We deliver globally and have an extremely user-friendly platform. We curate the most fitting gifts from a vast catalog of over 3.5 million products worldwide (which is ever-increasing).

By carefully considering an individual's basic demographics, preferences, social media activity, and digital footprint, we tailor each gift selection process regardless of whether the recipient is an employee, a customer, a VIP client, a friend, or a family member. With a wide range of locally and globally sourced gifts, we ensure that personalized gifting is accessible and achievable on a large scale, delivering meaningful connections across the globe.

Make employee appreciation easier with Giftpack — try Giftpack for free today.

Employee Retention In HealthcareEmployee Retention CommitteeEmployee Retention ChallengesEmployee Retention BonusEmployee Retention SurveysEmployee Retention StrategiesHow To Retain High Potential Employees


Why Should Your Organization Care About Employee Retention Rates?

company employees at work - Employee Retention Rate

Your talent is your organization’s most valuable asset. Without it, you won’t be able to achieve your business goals or drive initiatives to maintain a successful business. That’s why employee retention should be one of your top concerns.

Employee turnover disrupts the flow and success of a functioning business. For example, not counting layoffs or other involuntary termination, a whopping 50.5 million people quit their jobs in 2022. Employees leave a knowledge gap when they quit, creating more work for the remaining team members. Being familiar with your employee retention rate can help you identify problems and implement retention strategies to mitigate a high churn rate.

A successful employee retention rate can also lead to:

Reduced company costs

Studies show that the average cost for replacing an employee is about 6 to 9 months’ salary, so improving retention rates can reduce overall turnover costs.

Increased employee productivity

The longer employees stay at your company, the more productive they become. A high annual turnover rate can lead to reduced efficiency and lower productivity.

Improved employee engagement

Analyzing your average employee retention rate monthly, quarterly, or annually helps you measure the impact of your employee engagement initiatives. Thus, it helps you build a more positive company culture and increase employee morale.

Looking at internal data and comparing retention rates allows you to make smarter strategic moves ahead of time to make your organization more successful. While some turnover is inevitable, the more engaged employees you have, the less likely they will be to leave your company.

Benefits Of Employee RetentionEmployee Retention Plan SampleHow To Retain Young EmployeesHow To Reduce Employee TurnoverInnovative Employee Retention StrategiesCauses Of Staff TurnoverEmployee RetentionAttracting And Retaining TalentCompanies With Best Employee Retention ProgramsWhat Is Employee Retention CreditWhat Is Employee RetentionIRS Employee Retention Credit FAQEmployee Retention IdeasEmployee Retention StrategyEmployee Retention Plan


How To Calculate Employee Retention Rate

CEO looking at retention rate - Employee Retention Rate

When calculating your employee retention rate, it’s important to outline a time frame that you would like to measure, typically yearly or quarterly. You also need to have the headcount of employees at the start and end of that time frame.

You can determine your turnover rate by dividing the end number of employees during your set period by the beginning number and multiplying by 100. You should separate your calculations by voluntary and involuntary turnover. This allows you to calculate the percentage of laid-off employees vs. those who left your organization by choice.

Easy examples of employee retention rate calculation:

  1. Let’s say you had 475 employees on January 1st, 2022, and 440 employees on December 31st, 2023. To calculate your yearly retention rate, divide 440 by 475 and multiply by 100.

(440 / 475) x 100 = 92.6% yearly retention rate.

  1. You have 33 employees on July 1st and 28 employees on August 30th. To calculate your retention rate in this time period, divide 28 by 33 and multiply by 100.

(28 / 33) x 100 = 84.8% retention rate in July through August.

  1. Your organization has 1,455 employees at the beginning of Q3 2020 and 1,375 at the end of Q3. To calculate your retention rate in Q3, divide 1,375 by 1,455 and multiply by 100.

(1,375 / 1,455) x 100 = 94.5% retention rate in Q3.

The average employee retention rate in the United States is about 90%, but your benchmark rate will differ depending on your industry. Retail, service, and restaurant industries typically have lower retention rates because of their high turnovers and holiday-dependent employment.

Calculating the employee retention rate offers crucial insights into your organization's ability to retain talent and maintaining a stable workforce environment. It helps you evaluate the effectiveness of your retention strategies and identify areas that may require adjustment for continued success. By leveraging these calculations, you can make informed decisions to improve employee satisfaction and ultimately enhance your company's performance.

What Is Considered A Good Employee Retention Rate?

boss looking really happy - Employee Retention Rate

Aim for an average retention rate of 90% or higher, meaning a company will want an average employee turnover rate of 10% or less. In 2022, the average turnover rate was around 9.3%. This varies by industry, location, and job type. Industries with the highest retention rates include government, finance, insurance, and education, while the lowest rates are in the food, retail, and hospitality industries.

A high retention rate, like 99%, may not always be the best. Some turnover helps carve out career paths for high-performing employees within the organization or bring in external talent. You may also want to terminate low-performing or average employees through involuntary turnover to make your company more productive and efficient.

​​Giftpack: AI-Powered Personalized Gifting at Scale

At Giftpack, our driving force is simplifying the corporate gifting process while maximizing the impact of each gift. Utilizing our custom AI algorithm, we create highly customized scenario swag box options for you. We deliver globally and have an extremely user-friendly platform. We curate the most fitting gifts from a vast catalog of over 3.5 million products worldwide (which is ever-increasing).

By carefully considering an individual's basic demographics, preferences, social media activity, and digital footprint, we tailor each gift selection process regardless of whether the recipient is an employee, a customer, a VIP client, a friend, or a family member. With a wide range of locally and globally sourced gifts, we ensure that personalized gifting is accessible and achievable on a large scale, delivering meaningful connections across the globe.

Make employee appreciation easier with Giftpack — try Giftpack for free today.

7 Strategies To Improve Employee Retention Rates

boss in meeting for strategies - Employee Retention Rate

1. Hire the right people

When it comes to improving employee retention rates, hiring the right people from the start is crucial. As noted by experts, ensuring compatibility among teammates matters. The immediate manager plays a significant role in an employee's decision to stay with an organization. Therefore, it's essential to be intentional during the hiring process, seeking [candidates who align with the role, responsibilities, and company culture. By investing time and effort in finding the right fit, organizations can increase the likelihood of long-term employee retention.

2. Invest in leaders

Managers have a substantial influence on employee retention rates. When employees have supportive, respectful, and encouraging managers, they are likelier to remain with the organization. Investments in selecting, training, and monitoring supervisors' impact on their teams can significantly boost employee retention. By fostering professional development and establishing trust between managers and their teams, organizations can create a conducive environment for long-term employee commitment.

3. Build a values-based culture

Employees seek a sense of purpose and connection to the organization's mission and values. Establishing a values-based culture can significantly impact employee retention rates. Employees who feel aligned with a company's mission and values are likelier to stay and engage actively. Organizations should focus on communicating their mission clearly, ensuring all employees understand and embrace it. Organizations can enhance employee satisfaction and loyalty by incorporating corporate values into the workplace environment and activities.

4. Compensate your employees well

Competitive compensation is a critical factor in retaining employees. Organizations that offer fair and attractive compensation packages are more likely to retain their workforce. By benchmarking salaries, organizations can ensure they offer competitive pay, which is essential for employee satisfaction and retention. Recognizing the impact of compensation on attrition rates, it is vital to invest in this area to maintain a stable and motivated workforce.

5. Mentorship programs across the organization

Peer support and mentorship programs effectively support employee growth and development. Employees benefit from guidance and coaching provided by peers and senior management, leading to increased trust and knowledge-sharing. Organizations can implement cross-departmental buddy systems and coaching initiatives to help employees navigate their careers effectively. By offering various mentorship opportunities, organizations can foster an environment of continuous learning and advancement, contributing to higher employee retention rates.

6. Personalized career development plans

Tailoring career development plans to individual employees' skills, interests, and aspirations can significantly impact job satisfaction and loyalty. Organizations can offer rotational assignments, stretch projects, and cross-functional training to enrich employees' experiences and skill sets. Organizations demonstrate their commitment to employees' development by providing personalized growth opportunities, contributing to higher retention rates, and a culture of continuous learning.

7. Flexible work arrangements and remote work options

Offering flexible work arrangements and remote work options is crucial in accommodating employees' personal needs and preferences. Organizations that allow telecommuting, flexible hours, and compressed workweeks can significantly enhance employee satisfaction and work-life balance. With the rise of remote work trends, organizations can attract and retain top talent by providing flexible work policies that allow employees to perform better and avoid burnout.

4 Ways Your Organization Can Use Employee Retention Data Beneficially?

discussion on data - Employee Retention Rate

Retention rate data is the key to unlocking strategic retention methods. HR leaders can apply the following practices to use employee retention rates effectively:

1. Choose Specific Areas of Measurement

HR leaders should determine the specific time span and jobs they plan to analyze. Calculating the retention rate for each department and the company as a whole enables HR leaders to discover weak areas that need adjustment.

2. Analyze Turnover Rates

Calculating turnover rates and analyzing this data in combination with retention rate data can provide a comprehensive picture of the overall employee retention status. Examining when and why employees leave their jobs helps HR leaders understand what changes they should make to enhance motivation, engagement, and retention.

3. Interpret the Data

Retention data can provide valuable insight for HR leaders. Analyzing retention and turnover rate figures can shed light on important trends, inefficient practices, strategies that need adjustment, or successful methods that they can further develop.

4. Implement the Changes

HR leaders can collaborate with supervisors to craft and implement an improvement plan that addresses the root causes of low retention rates. The plan may revamp company onboarding methods or the interview process or improve upon a sparse employee development program.

7 Reasons Why Employees LeaveEmployee Retention MetricsReduce AttritionCauses Of Employee TurnoverCauses Of Low Employee MoraleEmployee Retention Survey QuestionsCreative Ways To Retain EmployeesFun Employee Retention IdeasEmployee Retention SoftwareEmployee Burnout Solutions


Build A Meaningful Employee Recognition Program With Ease with Giftpack

Giftpack is an innovative platform that aims to revolutionize corporate gifting by simplifying the process and maximizing the impact of each gift. By leveraging custom AI algorithms, Giftpack creates highly customized scenario swag box options for users, considering factors such as basic demographics, preferences, social media activity, and digital footprint.

This personalized approach ensures that each gift is tailored to the individual, whether an employee, customer, VIP client, friend, or family member. With a vast catalog of over 3.5 million products worldwide, including local and global options, Giftpack makes personalized gifting accessible on a large scale, fostering meaningful connections across the globe.

Employee Appreciation Made Easy

Giftpack offers global delivery and a user-friendly platform, making it easy for companies to show appreciation to their employees. Giftpack can be a valuable tool for enhancing employee retention by making employee appreciation easier. Companies can build stronger connections with their team members by showing employees they are valued and appreciated through personalized gifts.

This can lead to increased job satisfaction, productivity, and overall morale within the organization. With its wide range of gift options and customizable features, Giftpack can help businesses create a positive work environment and boost employee loyalty.

Building Stronger Teams

Giftpack's innovative approach to corporate gifting can positively impact employee retention rates by fostering meaningful connections and showing appreciation to team members. With its personalized gift options and user-friendly platform, Giftpack can help companies create a more positive work environment and build stronger relationships with their employees.

Make your gifting efficient and improve employee attrition rates with Giftpack AI


Visit our product page to unlock the power of personalized employee appreciation gifts.

Ask us anything about Corporate Gifting
Tim Kuo

Tim Kuo

Jun 26th 202413 min read

About Giftpack

Giftpack's AI-powered solution simplifies the corporate gifting process and amplifies the impact of personalized gifts. We're crafting memorable touchpoints by sending personalized gifts selected out of a curated pool of 3 million options with just one click. Our AI technology efficiently analyzes each recipient's social media, cultural background, and digital footprint to customize gift options at scale. We take care of generating, ordering, and shipping gifts worldwide. We're transforming the way people build authentic business relationships by sending smarter gifts faster with gifting CRM.

Sign up for our newsletter

Enter your email to receive the latest news and updates from Giftpack.

By clicking the subscribe button, I accept that I'll receive emails from the Giftpack Blog, and my data will be processed in accordance with Giftpack's Privacy Policy.