The Role of Nontraditional Benefits in Recruitment and Retention for Public Health Workers Age 35 and Under

Context: Governmental public health workers age 35 or younger have been shown to experience lower retention rates than older workers. Salaries are often a factor in retention, but because health departments sometimes face restrictions in improving salaries, health departments might explore offering nontraditional benefits to attract and retain workers. Objective: We sought to analyze data from the 2024 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS) to determine whether nontraditional benefits are more highly valued by younger workers than older workers. Design: We selected respondents of 2024 PH WINS who were permanent, full-time health department employees, then created 2 subgroups of these respondents, one age 35 and younger, and the other over age 35, and compared their responses to survey questions regarding nontraditional benefits, reasons to stay in their jobs, and, for those 35 and younger, the factors which attracted them to governmental public health. Results: Younger PH WINS respondents were significantly more likely to value nontraditional benefits than older workers. The findings were generally consistent with the literature. Conclusions: Health departments could improve retention of younger workers by offering nontraditional benefits.