retention
ri-TEN-shun
/rɪˈtenʃn/
The ability of an organization to keep its employees.
Retention is a key metric for culture; high turnover (the opposite) usually indicates a toxic environment.
The story behind the word. Literally 'to hold back.' It comes from the same root as 'tenant' (someone who holds a lease) and 'tenacious' (holding on tightly).
Word relationships
- maintenance: Maintenance is keeping things in good repair; retention is specifically about keeping people or customers.
- turnover: The rate at which employees leave a workforce and are replaced.
Commonly confused with
- recruitment: Recruitment is getting people in the door; retention is keeping them there.
Word family
- retain (verb): To keep or continue to have.
Collocations
- employee retention
- retention rate
- talent retention
Example sentences
- "Our employee retention rates have improved significantly since we introduced flexible working hours." An HR report.
Memory hook
Retention is 'Retaining' your 'Attention' on your employees so they stay. Retention = Keeping talent.
When not to use
In medicine, it refers to holding fluid; in business, it's about holding talent.
Fun facts
- The 'Cost of Turnover' can be as high as 1.5 to 2 times an employee's annual salary, making retention a top priority for CFOs.
Related words
Explore more words
retain, preservation, tenacity, continuity, sustained, tenure
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.