Tenure as a Moderator of the Absence-Intent to Leave Relationship

Abstract

Inconsistencies in the absenteeism-turnover relationship have prompted researchers to seek a more informed understanding of how these two forms of organizational withdrawal relate. Recent work on socialization and on job-related experiences at work suggests that the absenteeism-turnover relationship may vary as a function of tenure. The present study examined this notion and found a significant moderating effect for tenure. Low-tenured employees who were absent more frequently tended to be less inclined to leave, whereas high-tenured employees who were absent more reflected a stronger inclination to leave.