The impact of the quality of the work environment on employees intention to quit

Abstract

A substantial body of research has linked job satisfaction with employees’ quitting intentions. That research predominantly analyses individual-level determinants rather than organisational-level or work environment antecedents of quitting. This study investigates the concept of the quality of the work environment (QWE) in relation to employees’ quitting intentions and argues that QWE will influence a manager’s ability to shape their employees’ quitting intentions. We illustrate this proposition using a small survey of employees across four different industries in New Zealand. The results support the extant literature findings only if employees perceive their QWE is good; if an employee perceives their QWE is poor then extant policy implications could be toothless. This suggests QWE is an important focus of policy to shape quitting intentions.