Employee Turnover Rate Calculator
Annual Turnover Rate
How to Calculate Employee Turnover Rate by Year
Employee turnover rate is a critical Human Resources metric that measures the percentage of workers who leave an organization during a specific period (typically one year) and are replaced by new hires. Understanding this number helps businesses assess their workplace culture, compensation competitiveness, and management effectiveness.
The 3 Steps to Calculate Annual Turnover
To find your yearly turnover rate accurately, follow these steps:
- Find the Average Number of Employees: Add the headcount from January 1st to the headcount on December 31st, then divide by 2.
- Count Total Separations: Sum up everyone who left the company during that 12-month period. This includes both voluntary resignations and involuntary terminations.
- Divide and Multiply: Divide the number of separations by your average headcount and multiply by 100 to get the percentage.
Suppose a tech company starts the year with 200 employees and ends with 220. During the year, 30 people left the company.
1. Average Employees: (200 + 220) / 2 = 210
2. Separations: 30
3. Calculation: (30 / 210) * 100 = 14.28%
Why Yearly Turnover Matters
High turnover rates are incredibly expensive. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) estimates that replacing an employee can cost 6 to 9 months of an employee's salary on average. These costs include recruitment, interviewing, onboarding, and the loss of productivity during the ramp-up period for new hires.
What is a "Good" Turnover Rate?
While turnover varies by industry, a general benchmark for healthy turnover is around 10%. However, industries like retail or fast food may see rates as high as 100%, while government or utility sectors often see rates below 5%. It is essential to compare your rate against your specific industry's standards.
Types of Turnover to Track
- Voluntary Turnover: When an employee chooses to leave (better jobs, personal reasons).
- Involuntary Turnover: When the employer initiates the separation (layoffs, firing for cause).
- Desirable Turnover: When low-performing employees leave, allowing the company to hire better talent.
- Undesirable Turnover: When your top performers or "high-potentials" leave for competitors.