Retaining Talent in the Public Sector: Managing the Present While Looking to the Future

This study aimed to examine the effect of public policies on talent retention in the Portuguese Public Administration and whether the participants’ managerial status moderates this relationship. A total of 282 individuals, active workers in public administration, participated in this study, with 11.7% of the total occupying management positions. This is a cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, using a questionnaire. The results showed that public policies (recruitment, training and performance evaluation) have a positive and significant effect on talent retention. Whether an individual is a manager or not has a significant effect on performance evaluation. No moderating or mediating effect was found. This study aimed to provide data that can inform managers’ decisions and enhance talent management in public administration.