Attrition rate


The term 'attrition rate' can be defined as "A reduction in the number of employees through retirement, resignation or death." It denotes the percentage change in the labour force of an organization. High percentage of labour turnover is not desirable for the organization because new workers are engaged in place of the workers who left the organization.

Why do Employees Leave the Organization?


There are a number of reasons for employees leaving the organization. Well, the most obvious reason for employees leaving any organization is higher pay. The main problem here is that employees are moved from one location to another location along with their family. But this problem is taken care of by a salary hike which may be around 20%-35% per annum.


Another factor is work timings. In some organizations, work timings are such that they are making employees leave the organization.


Another factor is career growth. In many organizations, only 20% of employees are able to go to senior levels. This means that the remaining 80% of employees look for other organization where they can get opportunities for growth.


One more reason for leaving the organization is higher education. These days, in many organizations, employees are joining at very young age because of lucrative salaries being offered. But with time, they apply for higher education and try to move on to other organizations or sectors to occupy top management positions.


The percentage of women workers is also responsible for higher attrition rate. These days, the percentage of women workers is around 30%. Generally, women workers leave the organization after marriage to take up their house-hold duties, irregular work hours et al.


80% of employee turnover can also be attributed to the mistakes during hiring process (Harvard Business Review).


Other factors include accident making the worker permanently incapable of doing work, dislike for the job or place, unsatisfactory work conditions leading to strained work relationships with the employer; lack of security of employment et al also contribute for higher attrition rate.


Attrition Rate Formula


(The formula and correct logic behind calculation of Attrition Rate)

((no. Of attritions x 100) / (Actual Employees + New Joined)) /100.

Examples:

1) Actual Employees          No. Of people left     No. Of Joined        Total Employees
    (Opening BAL)                    (Attritions)                                        (Current Headcount)
         150                                     20                             25                        155


So according to the formula: ((20 x 100) / (150 + 25)) / 100

Which comes to 0.1142 i.e. 11%

Now as you had 150 previously and now 25 joined so it makes 150 + 25 =175

Now if you calculate 11.42% of 175 i.e. 175 x 0.1142 = 20

Which clearly shows that 175 – 20 = 155, which is your current headcount and at the same time you can say my attrition is 11.42% that shows you lost 20 employees of 150 and 25 more joined which makes count to 175.

2) Actual Employees          No. Of people left     No. Of Joined        Total Employees
    (Opening BAL)                    (Attritions)                                        (Current Headcount)
         100                                     50                             0                           50


This is the special case where we are considering attritions only keeping into mind that nobody has joined in particular month.

So according to the formula: ((50 x 100) / (100)) / 100

Which comes to 0.5 i.e. 50%

Now as you had 100 previously and now 0 joined so it makes 100 + 0 =100

Now if you calculate 50% of 100 i.e. 100 x 0.5 = 50

Which clearly shows that 100 – 50 = 50, which is your current headcount and at the same time you can say my attrition is 50% that shows you lost 50 employees of 100 and 0 joined which makes count to 50.

 3) Actual Employees          No. Of people left     No. Of Joined        Total Employees
    (Opening BAL)                    (Attritions)                                        (Current Headcount)
         500                                     200                            100                        400


So according to the formula: ((200 x 100) / (500 +100)) / 100

Which comes to 0.3333 i.e. 33.33%

Now as you had 500 previously and now 100 joined so it makes 500 + 100 =600

Now if you calculate 33.33% of 600 i.e. 600 x 0.3333 = 200

Which clearly shows that 600 – 200 = 400, which is your current headcount and at the same time you can say my attrition is 33.33% that shows you lost 200 employees of 500 and 100 more joined which makes count to 400.

4) Actual Employees          No. Of people left     No. Of Joined        Total Employees
    (Opening BAL)                    (Attritions)                                        (Current Headcount)
         8000                                  5000                        500                          3500


So according to the formula: ((5000 x 100) / (8000 +500)) / 100

Which comes to 0.5882 i.e. 58.82%

Now as you had 8000 previously and now 500 joined so it makes 8000 + 500 =8500

Now if you calculate 58.82% of 8500 i.e. 8500 x 0.5882 = 5000

Which clearly shows that 8500 – 5000 = 3500, which is your current headcount and at the same time you can say my attrition is 58.82% that shows you lost 5000 employees of 8000 and 500 more joined which makes count to 3500.