The Effects of Employee Turnover on Those Who Stay

Research on employe ^ turnover which has examined why employees quit their jobs has identified a wide range of variables that are associated with turnover, but has provided little information about the consequences of turnover for those who remain in an organization. This study was conducted to examine whether the manner in which turnover is perceived by stayers can affect their job attitudes and their job performance. Undergraduate students (N=104) participated in a proofreading task. During a break from the task, subjects were exposed to a confederate who quit the task either because of boredom, combined with the availability of greater rewards elsewhere (inequity condition), or because of illness (control condition). The subjects then completed a second proofreading task, followed by a'brief questionnaire. Data analysis revealed that the output of the inequity group on the second proofreading task was significantly lower than that of the control group. There were no differences between the groups in quality of performance. The inequity group also rated the task significantly more negatively than did the control group. Other questionnaire data suggest these findings can be explained in terms of inequity generated in the stayer by a comparison with the leaver's new job. (Author/NB) * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * ******************ft***************************************************