Does trust matter? A study of the relationship between organizational trust and an employee's intent to leave among federal employees

The issue of employee retention and organizational trust among employees has gained greater strategic importance in organizations over the past decade. The primary design of this quantitative study was to investigate the perceptions of employees within the federal government regarding the relationships of organizational trust and intent to leave among individuals employed within the federal government. The population used within the research study consisted of federal employees within a pre-selected U.S. federal department located in the national capital region and within their respective field offices. The sample for the study included 800 full time, federal employees, ranging in grades GS-5 to GS-15, to include managers, team leaders, specialists, and assistants. A categorical statistical procedure and correlational analysis was used to induce an association among the various variables. Data was collected using web-based surveys. The survey instruments included the Organizational Trust Index (OTI), the Intent to Leave Index (ITQ) and a demographic questionnaire.;The study suggests that there is a correlation between organizational trust and intent to leave and employees who feel a sense of satisfaction and commitment to their organization feel a greater sense of trust and security in their job which can lead to an increase in retention. The implications of this study were that employees who feel a sense of organizational trust are likely to stay with the organization as alluded to in the literature. The study utilized a small sample size and therefore a recommendation for a larger sample size is suggested for further study. Also based on the constraints of the study further research could help distinguish if there is a significant effect of intent to leave on the levels of organizational trust over a longer period of time.