Purpose - The acceleration of early retirement tendency leading to a fall in labour force is a topic of concern among professionals working with the Ministry of Health, in Malaysia. This paper attempts to highlight the contributing factors to early retirement among these professionals.
Design/ methodology/approach- A study involving employees of the Ministry of Health conducted in 2007 using self-administered questionnaire was carried out.
Findings- The sample s to of this sub study is 3600 with a response rate of 76.2 percent. Of the total responders, 39.1 percent admitted to having intention of early retirement. It also appears that the main factor contributing to this school of thought is perceived job dissatisfaction as described by 64.2 percent of the respondents. Lack of support from immediate superiors and denied opportunities for career advancement are also contributing factors. The Ministry of Health has to strategize and intervene accordingly in order to retain the current man power so as to curb the shortage of health professionals in the public sector.