From High Turnover to Happy Teams: Wellhub's Impact on Employee Retention in Miami's Competitive Market

Key Takeaways

• Miami’s fast-moving job market creates intense pressure on employers to retain talent. The city’s high turnover rates, low unemployment, and rising living costs place steady strain on workers and hiring teams, which makes retention a daily challenge in many industries.
   
• Employee wellbeing shapes retention outcomes in clear and measurable ways. Stress, financial strain, and burnout weaken engagement and lead people to exit roles more quickly, which causes productivity drops and increases pressure on remaining team members.
   
• Wellbeing programs give employees the support they need to stay connected to their work. Access to mental, physical, and financial wellness tools raises happiness levels and strengthens loyalty, which leads to healthier teams and more stable work environments.
   
• Companies that invest in wellbeing see meaningful gains in retention and performance. Leaders report higher productivity, stronger morale, and greater benefits satisfaction when employees have the resources that help them stay balanced and energized.
   
• Comprehensive wellbeing strategies create cultures where people choose to stay long term. Programs that honor whole-person needs reinforce trust and show employees that their health matters, which strengthens employer brands and reduces turnover in competitive markets.
   

Miami’s job market is a whirlwind. Roles fill fast, but they empty just as quickly. Especially in hospitality, where turnover has hit a jaw-dropping 85%. That’s not just a number—it’s a red flag waving wildly at every employer trying to build a stable team.

Chronic burnout, financial pressure, and poor workplace support are sending employees packing. When people can’t sleep, can’t afford to stay healthy, and don’t feel valued, they leave. And in a city where cost of living keeps climbing, the cycle only gets faster.

But high turnover doesn’t have to be your norm. The most effective way to keep people on your team? Start with their wellbeing. Prioritize it, invest in it, and watch retention turn around.

Unlock the benefits of a workforce that feels seen, supported, and ready to stay.

Why Employee Turnover Is High in Miami

If you’re hiring in Miami, you already know the challenge: people here switch jobs, and they do it fast. This city’s job market moves at lightning speed, especially in the hospitality sector, where turnover rates have reached an eye-popping 85%. That’s nearly double the national hospitality average, and it paints a clear picture—Miami is one of the most competitive talent markets in the country.

Other numbers back this up. Across Florida, the state sees an average of 356,000 job separations each month, including 236,000 voluntary quits. 

Even more telling? The layoff and discharge rate in Florida is just above 1%, slightly above the national average. 

For employers, that means a constant battle to fill roles while trying to hold on to the people you’ve already invested in.

Miami’s labor conditions are especially complex. The city’s low unemployment rate—just 2.4% in late 2024—shows this is a tight labor market, where qualified candidates are snapped up quickly. 

At the same time, the cost of living outpaces many other Florida cities like Tampa or Orlando. That puts added pressure on employees in lower-wage industries and makes retention even harder for employers.

The Real ROI in Miami: Investing in Local Employee Wellbeing This Budget Season with Wellhub

How Poor Employee Wellbeing Increases Turnover

There’s a direct link between employee wellbeing and turnover—and it’s stronger than many leaders realize.

When employees are struggling emotionally, physically, or financially, their connection to work suffers. They disengage. They burn out. And eventually, they leave. In fact, 47% of workers say stress is the leading cause of emotional health issues, and more than half say that stress and anxiety is disrupting their sleep.

Financial pressure adds another layer. A full 68% of employees say their financial situation prevents them from investing in their overall wellbeing. That means fewer therapy sessions, skipped doctor appointments, and no room in the budget for a gym membership or wellness tools.

The outcome? Turnover.

Here’s the cold, hard data on employees without wellness programs:

• Only 36% of employees without wellbeing programs report happiness at work
   
• Just 36% rate their benefits program as top-tier
   
• Without wellness support, employees feel undervalued—and they start looking for employers who invest in their health and happiness

This isn’t just an individual problem. Burnout and disengagement spread, impacting team morale, productivity, and culture. When one team member checks out, others pick up the slack. Over time, this cycle drains your workforce—and your retention strategy with it.

To break that cycle, employers need to prioritize wellbeing not as a perk, but as a core pillar of talent retention.

Why Improving Employee Wellbeing Improves Retention

If you’re trying to reduce employee turnover, there’s one strategy that consistently delivers: investing in employee wellbeing. The data tells a clear story—improving retention with wellbeing programs isn’t just possible. It’s proven.

Companies that prioritize wellbeing build cultures where people want to stay. And that’s not just an idea—it’s backed by results. Wellhub found up to a 43% increase in employee retention at companies using our wellbeing platform. That’s a major win, especially in high-turnover environments like Miami.

Why does this work? Because when people feel supported—physically, emotionally, and financially—they’re more likely to stay engaged, loyal, and productive.

Here’s what the numbers show:

• 73% of CEOs say their wellbeing program improves talent retention
   
• 88% of employees say they value wellbeing as much as salary
   
• And among employees with access to a wellness program, 61% report being happy at work—compared to just 36% without one

Effective programs address the full spectrum of employee needs—from mental health to financial wellness to physical fitness. And the payoff goes beyond retention. CEOs also report:

• Higher productivity
   
• Better morale
   
• Improved benefits satisfaction
   
• A stronger employer brand

When you support your people, they support your organization. That’s how wellbeing programs drive long-term retention success.

Retention in a High-Turnover City Starts with Wellbeing

In Miami’s fast-moving job market, employers face steep challenges. Low unemployment, rising living costs, and industry-specific churn—especially in hospitality—make it tough to keep talent. Employee burnout, financial stress, and lack of support drive even more people to quit, leaving businesses in a constant cycle of hiring and training.

A comprehensive employee wellbeing program breaks that cycle. When companies support their teams’ emotional, physical, and financial health, people stay longer, perform better, and feel more connected. Organizations that prioritize wellbeing see up to a 43% increase in retention. And when employees feel good, company culture and morale thrive.

Speak with a Wellhub sales representative to reduce turnover and build a workplace where your people want to stay.