From Lecture Halls to HR: Addressing Employee Turnover & I-9 Compliance in Academia

The higher education sector is experiencing notable shifts in workforce dynamics, with employee turnover presenting significant challenges. In the 2023-24 academic year, overall turnover for faculty and staff combined was 14%, higher than pre-pandemic rates of approximately 12%. Part-time non-exempt staff faced the highest turnover at 22%, while tenure-track faculty experienced the lowest at 7%. With faculty retirements and administrative vacancies on the rise, institutions must continuously hire and onboard new employees— making compliance a growing concern.

This fluctuation not only disrupts academic continuity but also complicates compliance efforts, particularly regarding the accurate completion and management of Form I-9, which is essential for verifying employment eligibility.

The Lesson on Turnover: Understanding Why Faculty & Staff Are Leaving

Several factors contribute to the turnover rates within higher education institutions:

• Increased Retirement Rates: Approximately 30% of provosts report higher-than-usual retirement rates among faculty, leading to a loss of experienced educators and administrators.
• Job Dissatisfaction: Over 50% of higher education employees are somewhat likely, likely, or very likely to be job searching within the next 12 months, indicating significant dissatisfaction within the workforce.
• Leadership Vacancies: The role of a college president has become increasingly undesirable, with several resignations from esteemed universities leading to recruitment challenges and potential instability.

These factors necessitate robust strategies to manage turnover effectively while ensuring compliance with employment verification requirements.