The Role of Happiness at Work in Private Elderly Care and the Relationship with Turnover Intention.

Abstract

The present study investigated the relationship between happiness at work and turnover intention and if the degree of happiness at work and turnover intention differ between location managers, healthcare workers, and facility workers in private elderly care. Participants (N = 111) filled out an online questionnaire that included the Short-Happiness at Work scale and a Turnover Intention scale. A multiple regression analysis showed a negative relation between (elements of) happiness at work and turnover intention. This indicates that employees who experience a higher degree of happiness at work have a lower turnover intention. Two one-way ANOVAs showed that healthcare workers scored significantly lower on happiness at work than location managers and facility workers and that healthcare workers scored lower on turnover intention than facility workers. Thus, employees turnover intention can de lowered by increasing someone’s affective organizational commitment, engagement, or job satisfaction (happiness at work). Keywords: Happiness at Work, Turnover Intention, Elderly Care.