THE LANDING MATTRESS MODEL: STAFF RETENTION STRATEGY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46827/ejhrms.v10i1.2169کلمات کلیدی:
turnover, adaptation, performance, engagement, organizational support, onboarding, recruitment, retentionچکیده
The Landing Mattress Model is a visual and practical framework used to cushion, absorb, and support the integration of the new employee into an organization that benefits all facets of organizational human capital. It is divided into four constructs that correspond to the High Jump Analogy. As such it entails one taking the first step of approaching the cross bar, that is, the run before the jump which is synonymous to the recruitment and pre-boarding processes. This is followed by takeoff, that is, the moment the athlete launches toward the bar which is also synonymous to the onboarding and first engagement processes. The third step is the bar clearance when the athlete attempts to cross over the bar- which is synonymous to the adaptation and performance processes, and finally, landing when the athlete falls and makes contact with the mattress which is also synonymous to organizational support and retention infrastructure. The Landing Mattress Model offers the opportunity for organizations and new hires to absorb the pressures through mentoring, meaning-making, moral and psychosocial support, work-life balance or versatility to change in order to enhance retention.
مراجع
Bandura, A. (1977). Social Learning Theory. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall. Retrieved from https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1979-05015-000
Bauer, T. N. (2010). Onboarding New Employees: Maximising Success. SHRM Foundation. Retrieved from https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/trends-and-forecasting/special-reports-and-expert-views/document/onboarding%20new%20employees.pdf Aceessed 01/11/2026
Bauer, T. N., Bodner, T., Erdogan, B., Truxillo, D. M & Tucker, J. S. (2007). Newcomer Adjustment During Organisational Socialisation: A Meta-Analytic Review of Antecedents, Outcomes and Methods. Journal of Applied Psychology, 92(3): 707-721. Retrieved from https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1026&context=busadmin_fac
Bassam, S. H. A. (2020). Employee Retention and Engagement Solution. Open Journal of Business and Management, 8(6): 2805-2837. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.4236/ojbm.2020.86173
Becker, G. S. (1964). Human Capital: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis, with Special Reference to Education. National Bureau of Economic Research. Columbia University Press, New York. Retrieved from https://www.nber.org/system/files/chapters/c3730/c3730.pdf
Choudhury, S. & Mohanty, M. K. (2018). A Conceptual Model of Employee Engagement- From the Perspective of Manufacturing Industry. International Journal of Multidisciplinary. 3(7): 290-296. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1318258
Constantin, E. (2025). The Landing Mattress Model: A Metaphorical Representation of Staff Retention Strategy. (Reviewer Report, December 22), rw.rp_22.12.2025-The Landing Mattress Model A Metaphorical Representation of Staff Retention Strategy.pdf
Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of Innovations. 5th ed. New York. Free Press. Retrieved from https://books.google.ro/books/about/Diffusion_of_Innovations_5th_Edition.html?id=9U1K5LjUOwEC&redir_esc=y
Silumba, C., Abellanosa, N. M., & Languiwas, K. V. M. (2025). The Landing Mattress Model: A Metaphorical Representation of Staff Retention Strategy. European Journal of Human Resource Management Studies, 9(2): 210-236. https://doi:10.46827/elhrms.v9i2.2109
Schabasser, C. (2024). Keeping your staff: A guideline for successful retention strategies. Proceedings of London International Conferences, pp. 88-101. https://doi.org/10.31039/plic.2024.10.211
Werner, J. M. & DeSimone, R. L. (2006). Human Resource Development (4th ed.). Cincinnati, OH: Thomson/South-Western. Retrieved from https://books.google.ro/books/about/Human_Resource_Development.html?id=p0AJzgEACAAJ&redir_esc=y


