Employee Engagement and Talent Retention: A Review

Abstract

This study examined employee engagement and talent retention. The objective of the study is to examine the influence of employee engagement on talent retention. Other specific objective is to determine the influence of cognitive engagement on employee competence, to determine the influence of emotional engagement on employee satisfaction and to determine the influence of behavioral engagement on employee turnover rate. The dimensions of employee engagement was reviewed as cognitive engagement, affective engagement and behavioral engagement while the measures of employee retention was reviewed as employee competence, employee satisfaction and employee turnover rate. The study revealed that engaged employees often experience positive emotions (e.g., happiness, joy and enthusiasm). Engaged employees experience better health, create their own job and personal resources which enhance their competence and thus enhance talent retention. The study thus concluded that there is a practical and literal relationship between employee engagement and talent retention. The study thus, recommended that organizations should from time to time investigate employee behavior in other to manage it properly and adequately. Organization’s plan of action should be intentional towards employee engagement for business success. While applying adequate retention strategies, organizations should be proactive and rational in other to identify and classify talented employees for retention.