Employee Retention Plan Template

Part of the HR templates hub. It is free, printable and placeholder-based — read it here, copy the block, or use the print/save-as-PDF button. For the wider practice, see the related employer-operations guides and the HR metrics it supports.

Template overview

The template identifies retention risks (by team, cohort or driver), focuses on the factors most within your control, and assigns concrete actions with owners and review points. It connects to stay interviews, development plans and the retention metrics.

When to use it

• Acting on a retention concern or trend.
• Planning retention actions for a team or cohort.
• Turning exit and stay-interview themes into action.

Who it is for

• Managers and leaders owning retention.
• HR planning retention initiatives.
• Founders protecting key capability.

Template structure

• Scope and current picture — where retention matters.
• Risks and drivers — what’s pushing people away or keeping them.
• Focus areas — what’s within your control.
• Actions — owners and dates.
• Review — how you’ll track progress.

Printable template

Copy the block below and replace every [bracketed] placeholder. It contains no real names or data — adapt every part to your situation.

Print or save as PDF

Example (placeholder version)

An illustrative version using placeholders only — it shows the kind of content each part holds, with no real employee or company data.

Customisation guidance

• Focus on drivers you can actually influence.
• Use themes from stay and exit interviews as input.
• Assign owners and dates — a plan without them is a wish.
• Track a clear retention signal so you know if it works.

Common mistakes

• A plan full of factors outside your control.
• No owners or dates on actions.
• Ignoring the signals stay and exit interviews already give you.
• Never reviewing whether the actions worked.