United Nations Economic Commission for EuropeStatistical DivisionUnited Nations Economic Commission for EuropeStatistical Division
Staff turnover in NSO:Survey findings
Workshop on Human Resources Management and Training
in Statistical Offices14-16 September 2010
United Nations Economic Commission for EuropeStatistical DivisionUnited Nations Economic Commission for EuropeStatistical Division
Outline:
Rationale for the survey Survey questionnaire Survey respondents Survey findings
United Nations Economic Commission for EuropeStatistical DivisionUnited Nations Economic Commission for EuropeStatistical Division
Survey: Survey: Rationale, questionnaireRationale, questionnaire
Tetyana Kolomiyets - UNECE Statistical Division Slide 414 -16 September 2010
Rationale for the survey
To collect information on the HRMT in the National Statistical Offices (NSO)
To understand reasons for the turnover To find measures to solve problems of
rapid staff turnover
Tetyana Kolomiyets - UNECE Statistical Division Slide 514 -16 September 2010
The Staff Turnover Survey
The survey had 4 sections:• Section A - key data• Section B – staff recruitment and retention• Section C – staff turnover data• Section D – managing staff turnover
The target group was staff in central office only
Survey sent to UNECE members + other countries participating in CES38 responses received
Tetyana Kolomiyets - UNECE Statistical Division Slide 614 -16 September 2010
Responding countries by region
CIS - 11 Western Balkans European UnionOther
UNECE countries
Non UNECE member
countries
ArmeniaBosnia and
Herzegovina Austria Hungary Poland Canada Brazil
Belarus Croatia Bulgaria Italy Portugal Iceland Mexico
Kyrgyzstan Montenegro Cyprus LatviaSlovak
Republic Israel New Zealand
Moldova Serbia Denmark Lithuania Slovenia NorwayRepublic of
Korea
Tajikistan The FYR of Macedonia Finland Malta Spain Switzerland
Ukraine Germany Netherlands Sweden
Tetyana Kolomiyets - UNECE Statistical Division Slide 7
Survey findingsSurvey findings
Tetyana Kolomiyets - UNECE Statistical Division Slide 814 -16 September 2010
Women in NSO
Women are predominant among UNECE NSO staff
More pronounced in CIS and Western Balkans
Percentage of women in NSO, 2008
85
7163.5
5443.5
0
1020
3040
50
6070
8090
100
CIS - 11 WesternBalkans
European Union Other UNECEcountries
Non UNECEmember
countries
Tetyana Kolomiyets - UNECE Statistical Division Slide 914 -16 September 2010
Staff leaving by region
Staff turnover, likely an issue in smaller NSO’s
More acutely observed in CIS and other UNECE member states
Percentage of staff leaving by regions, 2008
11.1
5.2
7.3
10.4
0.8
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
CIS - 11 WesternBalkans
EuropeanUnion
Other UNECEcountries
Non UNECEmember
countries
Tetyana Kolomiyets - UNECE Statistical Division Slide 1014 -16 September 2010
Staff leaving by age
Big turnover of young staff in most NSO’s
Percentage of staff leaving by age group, 2008
05
1015202530354045
CIS - 11 WesternBalkans
European Union Other UNECEcountries
Non UNECEmembercountries
(%)
under 25 years
betw een 25 and 35 years
Tetyana Kolomiyets - UNECE Statistical Division Slide 1114 -16 September 2010
Staff leaving early
Most staff left in less than 5 years
On average 60% left within 2 years
Number of years worked before leaving
0
20
40
60
80
100
CIS - 11 WesternBalkans
EuropeanUnion
Other UNECEcountries
Non UNECEmembercountries
(%)
Within 2 yearsWithin 5 years
Tetyana Kolomiyets - UNECE Statistical Division Slide 1214 -16 September 2010
Is staff turnover a problem?
Majority of NSO’s did not perceive turnover of young staff members as a problem
Is turnover of young staffmembers a problem for the NSO ?
1820
Yes
No
Tetyana Kolomiyets - UNECE Statistical Division Slide 1314 -16 September 2010
Reasons for staff leaving NSO Most countries
conduct interview or survey
Predominantly due to voluntary departure
One third staff departure in other ECE countries due to expiration of contracts
Reasons for leaving
0
20
40
60
80
100
CIS - 11 Western Balkans European Union Other UNECEcountries
Non UNECEmember
countries
(%)
Voluntary cancellation
Contract expiration
Redundancy
In most voluntary cases, reason: 'inadequate payment'
Tetyana Kolomiyets - UNECE Statistical Division Slide 1414 -16 September 2010
Measures to improve staff turnover All countries
are trying to address the issue
Most notable measure are:
Training of newcomers
Efficient recruiting Career start
programmes Positive results
for most NSO
Average number of measures taken to improve staff turnover
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
CIS - 11 Western Balkans European Union Other UNECEcountries
Non UNECEmember countries
Tetyana Kolomiyets - UNECE Statistical Division Slide 1514 -16 September 2010
Measures to attract young professionals
Most countries are trying to attract young people to NSO
In 50% of the responding NSO’s the measures are already in place
Measures to attract young people for jobs at NSO
0
5
10
15
20
25
Realised Planned No measures yet
Num
ber o
f NSO
Tetyana Kolomiyets - UNECE Statistical Division Slide 16
Conclusions: Conclusions:
Turnover is significant among young staffTurnover is significant among young staff Rapid turnover of young staff is not necessarily a problem Rapid turnover of young staff is not necessarily a problem
according to most NSO’saccording to most NSO’s Most NSO’s are aware of this and taking some form of measureMost NSO’s are aware of this and taking some form of measure Investigating reasons for leaving is importantInvestigating reasons for leaving is important Opportunity to learn from experiences in other countriesOpportunity to learn from experiences in other countries
Tetyana Kolomiyets - UNECE Statistical Division Slide 17
Thank you!Thank you!