Relative strength of departure rates on job demands.
While changes in voluntary turnover rates and transfer-out rates both result in human capital
losses, we propose that substantive differences in unit responses to these losses will result in differential
effects on unit outcomes in the immediate aftermath of these changes. One key distinction is
the differing circumstances of the separation of the employees from the unit. Voluntary turnover occurs
at the discretion of employees (McElroy et al.,2001)—employees can and do leave when it is best
for them, traditionally providing some minimal advance notice. In contrast, transfers to other units of
the same organization are much more likely to include planning conversations with managers in the
two affected units. Senior nurses and professionals in our host organization confirmed this difference. They revealed
that transfers-out are exclusively voluntary, but that the timing of transfers is subject to management
approval. This key distinction highlights the ability of managers to proactively mitigate the
immediate consequences of transfers-out. When employees request transfers, managers can time the
changes based upon future work requirements and available resources to mitigate disruption. Further,
managers can increase hiring or transfer-in rates in advance of the change. Greater administrative control
should result in transfer-out rates having a smaller immediate negative effect on job demands
than voluntary turnover rates, as managers adjust work requirements and shift resources more
seamlessly.