Enhancing employee retention in construction: Role of workforce sustainability attributes

The construction industry suffers persistently high employee turnover, partly due to its dynamic and cyclical nature. Data shows rising turnover among fieldworkers and a widening shortage of skilled labor across work classifications, with the recruitment and retention of young workers a pressing concern. These challenges pose an arduous test for stakeholders, who have called for more research to identify strategies that attract, develop, and retain employees while prioritizing their well-being. Previous studies have examined the relationship between work-related constructs and retention or attrition; these studies investigated specific constructs that may not translate into practical actions. Addressing this gap, this study applies workforce sustainability (WS) theories to evaluate the influence of key attributes (equity, diversity, nurturing, maturity, health and well-being, community, and connectivity) on construction fieldworkers' job satisfaction and attrition intentions. Data was gathered from 237 fieldworkers using a structured questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis was employed to test the observed variables, and the mediating effect was validated. Results show that nurturing, diversity, equity, health and well-being, and connectivity significantly lower attrition intentions. The findings validate the role of WS attributes in retention and satisfaction and highlight actionable strategies, including fostering supportive environments, promoting diversity, enhancing well-being initiatives, and strengthening team connectivity.