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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the factors contributing to employee resignation (perceived and actual) among Cooperative Extension Agents in Georgia. This study was qualitative in nature, utilizing in-depth interviews with five former Extension Agents and five currently employed Extension Agents. Major findings were the following: 1. Job characteristics providing the most satisfaction were interaction with people, sharing information and solving problems, coworker relationships and support, and job flexibility; 2. Job characteristics leading to job dissatisfaction were night and weekend work / trying to balance work and family, paperwork, and uncertainty regarding job responsibilities as leading to job dissatisfaction; 3. Factors leading to employee resignation were time demand / time away from family, salary, lack of leadership and support, and unrealistic expectations; and 4. Recommendations to increase employee retention were improve current mentoring programs, provide better leadership and support, increase Agent salaries, and create an internship program.