Psychosocial employability attributes as predictors of staff satisfaction with retention factors

Abstract

The increased mobility of highly skilled knowledge workers who place a high premium on their employability capital challenges organisations to retain their scarce talent. This article explored individuals’ psychosocial employability attributes as predictors of their satisfaction with organisational retention factors. A cross-sectional quantitative, correlational research design was followed. A non-probability purposive sample of 321 permanently employed employees in an automotive manufacturing company in South Africa participated in the study (50% mid-career; 72% males; 50% Blacks; and 79% managerial/supervisory levels). Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that proactivity positively predicted satisfaction with job characteristics; career self-management positively predicted satisfaction with training and development opportunities, career opportunities, and work–life balance. Emotional literacy negatively predicted satisfaction with career opportunities. The results provide valuable insights regarding how employees’ psychosocial employability attributes influence their retention.