Defining Dysfunctional Employee Turnoverĭysfunctional turnover is when top-performing employees choose to leave a company at higher turnover rates than weaker staff members. This article will discuss what dysfunctional turnover is, and how HR professionals can identify and prevent it. This is known as dysfunctional turnover and it can negatively impact even the most successful companies in the world. What then happens to the once-thriving business? Unexpectedly, when all appears to be going well, the top employees leave. In some instances a company is thriving, employees appear to be satisfied, and the organisation is making a profit.