State employees clinging to jobs

CARSON CITY -- Nevada government employment officials say the sluggish economy has slowed the rate of turnover among state employees.

Nevada Personnel Director Teresa Thienhaus said the percentage of employees either leaving state jobs or changing jobs within state agencies slowed to 17 percent during the fiscal year that ended June 30. That's down from 24 percent during 2006 and 22 percent in 2007.

"The security that government affords in a time like this is pretty clear. We probably have people making life choices to stay with a certain thing rather than to move and take something less certain," Thienhaus said.

Of those employees who did leave state agencies, 11 percent -- down from 27 percent three years ago -- said the departure was related to unsatisfactory work conditions, Thienhaus said.

The number of employees leaving to launch their own businesses dropped to nearly half of the 50-per-year average previously seen, she said.

Fewer state workers are leaving for better-paying jobs in local government. On average, about 200 employees leave the state for other government agencies, she said. But in 2009, the total was 129.

Thienhaus said the recession has stabilized the state work force, but when the economy turns, there's a possibility of sharp increases in the number of employees who will seek work elsewhere.

Thienhaus also said retirements have jumped to 572 year, up from just over 400 in each of the past four years.

But Public Employees Retirement System chief Dana Bilyeu said the surge is from changes to the state benefits programs by lawmakers and the governor and not tied to the economy.