Analysis of Employee Attrition Drivers

Illya Mowerman, Ph.D.

Introduction

This analysis explores the drivers of employee attrition using HR data including:

Exploratory Data Analysis - Numerical Variables

Key observations:

Exploratory Data Analysis - Categorical Variables

Key observations:

Attrition Analysis - Satisfaction and Evaluation

T-Test Results:

  1. Satisfaction Level:

    • Mean difference: 0.25 (Stayed = 0.67, Left = 0.42)
    • t-value = -33.259, p < 0.001
    • Conclusion: Significantly lower satisfaction among those who left
    • Employees who stay are 50% more satisfied
  2. Last Evaluation:

    • Mean difference: 0.02 (Stayed = 0.71, Left = 0.73)
    • t-value = 0.127, p > 0.001
    • Conclusion: There is no difference in last evaluation between those that stay vs. those that left

Attrition Analysis - Workload

T-Test Results:

  1. Number of Projects:

    • Mean difference: -0.46 (Stayed = 3.79, Left = 4.25)
    • t-value = 2.006 , p > 0.001
    • Conclusion: Number of projects has no effect on employee status
  2. Monthly Hours:

    • Mean difference: -18.21 (Stayed = 199.31, Left = 217.52)
    • t-value = 5.869, p < 0.001
    • Conclusion: Significantly longer hours worked by those who left (+3%)

Correlation Analysis

Key Correlation Findings:

  1. Strongest Positive Correlations:

    • Projects & Hours: r = 0.53 (p < 0.001)
    • Evaluation & Hours: r = 0.42 (p < 0.001)
    • Projects & Evaluation: r = 0.45 (p < 0.001)
  2. Strongest Negative Correlations:

    • Time at Company & Satisfaction: r = -0.14 (p < 0.001)
    • Satisfaction & Projects: r = -0.15 (p < 0.001)

Department and Salary Analysis

Chi-Square Test Results:

  1. Department & Attrition:

    • χ² = 15.878, df = 9, p > 0.001
    • Conclusion: No significant relationship between department and attrition
    • Sales and technical departments show highest attrition rates
  2. Salary Level & Attrition:

    • χ² = 106.5, df = 2, p < 0.001
    • Conclusion: Significant relationship between salary and attrition
    • Lower salary levels associated with higher attrition

Additional Categorical Analysis

Chi-Square Test Results:

  1. Work Accidents & Attrition:

    • χ² = 173.76, df = 1, p < 0.001
    • Conclusion: Significant relationship between accidents and attrition
    • Lower attrition among those who had accidents
  2. Promotions & Attrition:

    • χ² = 31.295, df = 1, p < 0.001
    • Conclusion: Significant relationship between promotions and attrition
    • Lower attrition among those who received promotions

Key Findings

  1. Satisfaction Level

    • Strong predictor of attrition
    • Employees who left had significantly lower satisfaction
  2. Workload

    • Much higher number of projects associated with attrition
    • Longer working hours among those who left
  3. Career Growth

    • Very low promotion rates overall
    • Salary level significantly associated with attrition
  4. Departmental Differences

    • No significant variation in attrition across departments
    • Sales and technical departments show higher attrition

Recommendations

  1. Workload Management

    • Monitor and balance project assignments
    • Address excessive working hours
  2. Career Development

    • Increase promotion opportunities
    • Develop clear career progression paths
  3. Department-Specific Initiatives

    • Focus retention efforts on high-risk departments
    • Address department-specific satisfaction drivers
  4. Satisfaction Monitoring

    • Regular satisfaction surveys
    • Early intervention for declining satisfaction