turnover / fluctuation
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turnover
The rate of staff changes in a company or organization; the extent to which employees leave the company and are replaced by new ones.
Das Unternehmen leidet unter einer hohen Fluktuation, weil die Arbeitsbedingungen schlecht sind.
The company is suffering from high turnover because the working conditions are poor.
Words ending in '-ion' often come from Latin and are always feminine in German (die). This helps you find the correct article for 'Fluktuation' (fluctuation/turnover) and similar words.
Die Fluktuation der Preise ist normal für diesen Markt.
The fluctuation of prices is normal for this market.
To recognize the meaning, pay attention to the context. If it is about employees, jobs, or a company, staff turnover is meant. If it is about numbers, rates, or data, a general fluctuation is meant.
Die Personalabteilung analysiert die hohe Fluktuation im Vertrieb.
The HR department is analyzing the high turnover in sales.
In human resources, people often speak of 'hohe' or 'geringe Fluktuation' (high or low turnover). A common goal for companies is to 'die Fluktuation zu senken' (to reduce turnover).
Eine hohe Fluktuation kann für ein Unternehmen sehr teuer werden.
High turnover can become very expensive for a company.
For general fluctuations, typical adjectives are 'stark' (strong), 'gering' (low), or 'saisonal' (seasonal). You can also say that something 'Fluktuationen unterliegt' (is subject to fluctuations).
Die Temperatur unterliegt im April starken Fluktuationen.
The temperature is subject to strong fluctuations in April.
In physics and other natural sciences, 'Fluktuation' (fluctuation) is a technical term for random variations. This meaning is used almost exclusively in scientific texts.
Der Professor erklärte die thermischen Fluktuationen in der Flüssigkeit.
The professor explained the thermal fluctuations in the liquid.
change / switch
'der Wechsel' and 'die Fluktuation' both have to do with change. 'Wechsel' usually describes a single change or switch: something or someone is replaced by something else. 'Fluktuation' is more about many changes or fluctuations over a period of time. Especially in companies, 'Fluktuation' means that many employees leave and new ones come in. The words can be confusing because in both cases something does not stay the same. For a single job change, however, people usually say 'Wechsel'; for a high number of staff changes, they say 'Fluktuation'.
In dem Restaurant ist die Fluktuation hoch, weil viele Mitarbeiter nur kurz bleiben.
Turnover is high in the restaurant because many employees only stay for a short time.
Der Wechsel zu einem neuen Team hat meinem Kollegen gutgetan.
The switch to a new team was good for my colleague.