Attrition in the job market refers to a process of relying on voluntary quits, deaths, and retirements to reduce an employer's labor force instead of resorting to dismissal of workers. Good retention practices focus not only on what the employee is contributing to the company, but also focus on how the manager can create a climate so that the employee is retained and committed on a long term basis.
Turnover may include employees exiting the profession, but may also include employees who change fields or employers. The rates of attrition often depend on this definition. Attrition is also used in other contexts, such as reduction of school enrollment.
