Determinants of Employee Turnover: A Case During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The interest of employee turnover and determinants remains because it influences the survival of firms despite wider studies. Though the Sri Lankan government promotes SMEs in economically backward provinces yet, they struggle with several human resource management issues. A sudden increase in employee turnover in a manufacturing firm located in Buttala Industrial Zone during the turbulent environment of the COVID-19 and contradictory findings about the determinants of turnover before and during the pandemic motivated the study. Therefore, this study attempts to identify the determinants of employee turnover during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cross-sectional data were collected through a questionnaire that was developed using previously tested measures. Data collected from 114 respondents of the firm were analyzed by using the regression analysis. The results revealed that job satisfaction, and remuneration and benefits have a negative effect on employee turnover. Contrary to the hypotheses, the work environment characterized by organizational support and supervisor support has a positive effect. This study strengthens present literature studying human resource management practices and outcomes in a turbulent environment. Managerial implications, limitations, and future research directions are provided.