How Churn Is Ruining Your Culture
The Hidden Costs of Employee Turnover
Employee turnover has always been expensive, but in 2025, the stakes are higher than ever. Oxford Economics estimates the average cost of replacing an employee in the UK at £30,614, factoring in recruitment, training and lost productivity. But what’s harder to measure and far more damaging is the cultural cost of churn.
When people leave regularly, it creates a ripple effect: trust is eroded, morale dips and collaboration suffers. For the employees who stay, the constant disruption can feel like a treadmill of re-adjustment. Over time, this instability chips away at loyalty and engagement, and the result is a workplace culture defined by uncertainty.
How Churn Shapes Perception
High churn doesn’t just affect those inside the busines, it also shapes how candidates view your employer brand. In today’s job market, candidates are increasingly savvy; many ask about retention rates before even considering an interview. A revolving door sends the message that employees don’t see a future with you and top talent will often walk away before they walk in.
In sectors like finance and professional services, where relationships and continuity are key, the reputational damage is even greater. Teams that cannot demonstrate stability struggle to win client trust and the cost of rebuilding these external relationships only adds to the burden of churn.
Candidate Insights from the Market
At C&C Search, we hear the same concerns from candidates across PA, EA, Business Support and HR markets: “What’s the culture like? Do people stay?” When employers can show clear evidence of retention, long service awards, internal promotions, strong alumni networks, candidates are more likely to feel secure making the leap. Conversely, when churn is high, we see talented candidates choose more stable competitors.
Preventing Churn with Intentional Strategy
Preventing churn requires more than quick fixes. It’s about building cultures where people feel heard, supported and developed. Regular stay conversations (rather than just exit interviews), career pathways and learning opportunities are proven tools to boost retention. Deloitte reports that companies with strong learning cultures enjoy 30–50% higher employee retention rates, showing how culture and development go hand in hand.
The Bottom Line
Churn doesn’t just cost money, it corrodes the cultural foundations of your business. It weakens trust, reduces engagement and damages your brand with clients and candidates alike. The organisations that thrive in 2025 will be those that make retention a cultural priority, not just a financial one.
We work hand in hand with our clients to learn about your culture and present candidates that we think would be a perfect fit. What's more, is any candidate we successfully place enjoys 12 months free access to our C&C Academy giving them growth, development and online learning opportunities to support their career, including CPD and promote longevity in their role.
Get in touch today for HR, EA or Business Support recruitment hello@candcsearch.co.uk
