Abstract

The study examined effects of job stress on employee retention in Oyo State Agricultural Development Programme (OYSADEP). A total of ninety respondents weresampled through multistage sampling technique using structured questionnaire. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, Likert-type rating scale and logit regression. Results revealed that majority (92.2%) of the employees were males, educated with mean age of 49 years and a working experience of about 12 years. The major causes of job stress to the employees were inconsistent (x=4.41) and insufficient payments of mileage claim (x=4.24) as well as non-payment of hazard allowance (x=4.30). Majority (75.6%) of the employees agreed that they would definitely quit OYSADEP if they had an attractive job offer while 84.5% of the employee collectively agreed that OYSADEP did not appear to be the best agricultural outfit to work for. The study further revealed that medium level (x=3.25, SD=0.98) of employee retention existed in the organisation. The logit regression results revealed work experience (p>0.01), rank/cadre of staff (p>0.05), medical support (p>0.01), willingness to leave job (p>0.05), exposure to training opportunities (p>0.05), employee status (p>0.05) and payment of mileage claim (p>0.05) as the socioeconomic and stress-related factors significantly causing employee job retention. The study concluded that incidence of stress-induced medium job retention existed in the organisation. The study therefore, recommended that the organisation must take cognisance of improving the psychology and welfare of the employees while also promoting stress-inducing management practices.

Key Words: Employee retention, Job stress, OYSADEP, Perception, Nigeria