Data TI.sav

This study investigates the mediating role of employee morale in the relationship between work-family conflict (WFC) and turnover intention (TI) in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing from Job Demands–Resources and Self-Determination theories, it explores how morale can both alleviate conflict and influence employees’ decisions to stay or leave. A cross-sectional survey of 285 employees across five industry sectors in India was analyzed using multivariate regression and bootstrapped mediation models. Results indicate that while employee morale significantly reduces WFC and indirectly lowers TI, it paradoxically increases TI directly; suggesting that highly motivated employees may actively pursue external growth opportunities. Material rewards were found to be the strongest negative predictor of turnover intention. The findings highlight that morale-building, though beneficial for lowering WFC, is insufficient for retention unless paired with tangible growth and reward systems. This study provides novel cross-industry insights into talent retention strategies in volatile post-pandemic work environments.