Attrition refers basically to someone leaving the public service and not having to take advantage of a workforce transition measure—a severance package, etc. Attrition could be by retirement; it could be by people leaving the public service on their own and deciding to pursue a different career; it could be the elimination of temporary or casual positions. In some cases, the positions that were being eliminated had no person occupying them. There is no workplace adjustment cost there either.
On April 24th, 2013. See this statement in context.