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HR staff outlines longevity study, turnover trends and new intern cohort
Summary
At the May 14 Civil Service Merit Board meeting, HR staff described a planned longevity study if the city budget passes, reviewed turnover statistics showing the majority of separations occur within four years, and previewed an internship program of 19 placements for the summer.
An HR staff member told the Civil Service Merit Board on May 14 that the city requested funds in the fiscal budget to perform a longevity study and that, if the budget is approved, the study will begin July 1.
The presenter described the current longevity pay practice and questioned whether it is an effective retention tool. “Once you've been here ... 4 years, then you get a hundred and $20 per year up to 20 years, which equates to $2,400,” the HR staff member said, noting most employees leave well before reaching that full level.
Staff presented metrics the HR office is tracking: turnover and separation rates, promotion and new-hire statistics, tuition reimbursement, supervisory training and internship activity. The staff member reported a 14% decrease in regular-employee separations between 2023 and 2024 but said most departures occur within the first four years of employment; the average tenure for separating employees was reported at about 3.9 years.
The HR speaker also shared demographic and pay-band details for separations: most leaving workers were aged roughly 22 to 31 and generally earned $15 to $21 an hour. The presentation framed retention as a pay-competitive and benefits question: “People leave, believe it or not, for a dollar,” the presenter said, urging the board to consider incentives targeted at early-career employees.
Other items included a June 12 supervisory training session using hands-on team-building exercises, a mayor-backed “day of service” benefit allowing full-time employees to take 4–8 hours per fiscal year for volunteer work within city limits beginning July 1, and a summer intern cohort of 19 interns selected from about 150 applications.
The HR office said it will provide a fuller end-of-year HR metrics report to the mayor and follow up with the board as the longevity study procurement and other initiatives proceed.
