Federal agencies aren't thinking much about employee retention these days, but they should be, says a report from the Partnership for Public Service and Booz Allen Hamilton.

The report, released Jan. 19, warns that a recently enacted two-year pay and hiring freeze could create conditions prompting some employees to seek jobs elsewhere. Past Partnership for Public Service reports have found that the federal attrition rate is generally less than the private sector--it was 5.85 percent in fiscal 2009 and 7.6 percent the year before when the private sector rate was 9.2 percent.

Nonetheless, the report suggests several measures federal agencies can undertake to ensure that employees remain satisfied with their jobs. Among the suggested measures: Requiring supervisors to undergo training for managing teleworkers and training for managing "generational differences."

One thing that the new generation craves in a work environment, the report continues, is an internal social network that allow them to network across agencies and communicate about mission-related projects. "For some young employees, this kind of access and sharing is an important aspect of the work environment they favor and seek," the report solemnly says.

The report also suggests that agencies analyze and understand the reasons for attrition by using exit survey data coupled with employee feedback survey data. Agencies should review current retention techniques, identify new ones, and implement a variety of them.

"For example, the NSA brands itself as a prestigious place to work and invests in extensive training and development programs," the report adds.

But, the report warns that no single measure will succeed on its own. "No single magic bullet or retention strategy will ensure that top quality employees stay on the job."

For more:
- download the report (.pdf)

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