Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what information their Department holds on the level of staff retention; and what steps they are taking to improve staff retention.

The Department holds data on numbers of leavers, turnover and length of service. A voluntary leavers’ survey provides insight on a monthly basis, on reasons for leaving and contributing factors to a decision to leave. Response rates to the survey are 26% of leavers and to assist with driving up response rates we have updated the survey and are now targeting directly to leavers. As a separate activity, from October, we will start piloting the use of exit interviews in areas with higher turnover.

We undertake targeted interventions to increase retention which include increasing awareness of flexible working options such as partial retirement and changes to working hours and/or working pattern; during regular performance one to ones signposting managers to ensure they are holding regular conversations to better understand individual engagement levels and explore ways to retain those considering a move. We use learning from pulse and engagement survey data to further target actions that ensure we are creating an environment where colleagues feel valued and motivated.