Determinants of Retention in the Hospitality Industry:A Study of Employee Turnover Statistics in a Private Pennsylvania Club

Examining data from over 500 private club employees who were terminated from employment over the past 15 years, the purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which individual variables explain retention rates in the small, private-club sector of the hospitality industry. Given the disparity in employee turnover rates in the leisure and hospitality industry as compared to all industry averages, this report specifically analyzes the influence of gender, age, length of tenure, and departmental affiliation as related to continued employment with the organization. Findings show that while gender was not necessarily a significant predictor of retention, employees’ age, the department in which employees primarily were assigned, as well as exempt versus hourly status all had a significant effect on their corresponding rates of retention. This study not only expounds upon the current literature in the field, it adds a very distinct addition to the body of research, insofar as small, private clubs are underrepresented in the available literature.