Retention, engagement & workforce metrics · Core
Retention rate
Also called: employee retention
ELI5
The proportion of employees remaining over a defined period.
Used in conversation
“Compare retention rate with the same cohort and period before drawing a conclusion.”
Pitch context
You will see “Retention rate” in organisation plans, workforce reviews, change programmes and people reports when the discussion reaches retention, engagement & workforce metrics.
Why it matters: In retention, engagement & workforce metrics, the scope can change what data may be used, who may access it and which controls are required.
Caution
Employment law and workplace practice vary by jurisdiction and agreement.
Connected terms
- ChurnChurn measures loss; retention measures what remains. They are complements only when scopes and denominators align.
Sources & evidence · 3
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — BLS GlossaryDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Productivity programmeDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- OECD — G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance 2023Supporting source family · institutional · checked 2026-08-16