Retaining the workforce

With low unemployment and labour shortages across many parts of the economy, an organisation's ability not only to recruit but to retain its workforce is key to ensuring that it can continue to deliver high-quality services and supports. WIDI recognises that the decision to enter, stay or leave the sector is not necessarily due to a single issue but many interlinked factors. Our research exploring the drivers of retention in the social service workforce produces insights to inform the design and implementation of employer, industry, and government-led initiatives to increase worker retention. Our work to date includes applied research projects focusing on specific cohorts of workers (e.g. leaders, recent entrants) in different parts of the sector (e.g. family violence, disability).