Strategies for reducing employee turnover and increasing retention rates of quantity surveyors

Quantity surveyors (QS) play an important role in the construction industry. There is therefore a need to reduce their job turnover, by minimizing their intention to quit the job (turnover intention) and improving their job satisfaction. Turnover intention was operationalized as the number of years QS are likely to remain in the profession (Y1) and in their present firms (Y2). The aims are to investigate job and jobholder characteristics that significantly affect Y1 and Y2; and provide recommendations to reduce QS' turnover intentions. Using questionnaire survey, data were collected via e-mail from randomly selected QS in Singapore. Correlation analysis revealed that to reduce turnover, QS should be given competitive monetary and nonmonetary benefits, and autonomy in decision making. To reverse turnover intention of well-performing QS who are ensconced in their firms, firms could enrich QS' jobs so that their growth needs are met and they feel a sense of accomplishment. Certain characteristics of QS and their jobs give rise to job satisfaction, and therefore designing quantity surveying jobs that take in these characteristics may decrease turnover intention. The relevant characteristics that should be included in the design of QS' jobs to increase retention rates are task significance, autonomy and feedback.