Exploring Occupational Stress and the Likelihood of Turnover among Two Early Career Teachers

Abstract

This study aims to identify the contributing factors of occupational stress among early career teachers and the trend of turnover intention among them. This study also intended to explore the relationship between occupational stress and turnover intention. The study applied a qualitative research design using case study and semi-structured interviews. It involved two early career teachers who are teaching English subject in secondary schools located in Terengganu. The sampling method used were purposive sampling technique. The findings of the study indicate that there are four main contributing factors of occupational stress faced by early career teachers, namely the workload, working environment, internal relationship, and principal leadership. The most prevalent factor that contributes to the occupational stress is the workload, which include warden duties. It is also found that early career teachers have the intention to turnover. The present study offers insights to the Ministry of Education (MoE) regarding the contributing factors that can affect early career teachers to develop the turnover intention. A good support system is crucial in order to retain early career teachers who are at risk of leaving the profession. This study also provides an understanding on the importance of revising the duties of the wardens among teachers in Malaysian schools.