Case Study: Ephraim McDowell Health achieves a 32% turnover reduction and $942,480 in annual savings with Work Institute

Employee retention strategy rapidly reduces turnover

Ephraim McDowell Health (EMH) was facing unusually high turnover, with many Associates leaving within a year. EMH engaged Work Institute to diagnose root causes using exit interviews, incumbent and onboarding/new‑hire interviews and quarterly pulse surveys to surface what mattered most to employees.

Work Institute identified four priority areas—communication, retirement savings, pay‑for‑performance and onboarding—and EMH implemented targeted changes (flat‑screen information displays, a new retirement plan with up to 8% matching, a performance‑based pay system and standardized departmental orientation). As a result, monthly turnover fell from 1.77% in 2004 to 1.20% in 2009, delivering annual cost savings of $942,480; benefits “Excellent” ratings rose 47.8% and compensation‑related departures dropped 16.2%.

Ephraim McDowell Health