Voluntary turnover can be a blessing when a company is downsizing, when seasonal work has ended, or when a new corporate strategy is being pursued. If a company is overstaffed, voluntary turnover can be encouraged, for example, through incentives.

Voluntary turnover helps eliminate the disruption caused by layoffs or terminations. In a slow economic time, companies may want more rather than less voluntary turnover.

Voluntary turnover of poor performers indicates that leadership is doing its job and that human resource practices are effective. This poor performer turnover is mutually beneficial. These employees improve their self esteem and job satisfaction when they find a job with a better skill match. And, as a result of the poor performers moving on, the organization becomes more effective.

When is voluntary turnover desirable? If you aren’t categorizing the reasons for turnover, then you may be wasting valuable resources trying to reverse what should be celebrated!