Honesty in an exit interview

[Barbecue]

So all of us at one point has filled out an exit questionaire or completed an exit interview, but how many of you are truly honest in filling it out?

Would it be considered burning bridges if you pointed out your lazy coworker's non productiveness? poor work environment? Boss's poor treatment and temper?

Lets say it had some (but not all) reason in your departure from the company

is it really a good idea to keep quiet? or to do something that could change for your former coworkers well-being?

[WhiteTiger]

In every exit interview I have been in, I have tried to find a balance between good and bad. If they didn't want the answers, don't ask the questions. If a specific problem with a specific person is a reason for your leaving...I'd be sure to let them know. How do you know that you aren't the only person this other person has chased off?

[Barbecue]

oops, mods please move this into the main off topic forum

[Barbecue]

Originally Posted by fotze

Its just like a normal job interview. The company pretends they want honesty and you pretend to give it to them.

so stir up trouble where there isnt any and watch the fireworks go?

[undercoverbrother]

If I have learnt one thing in life, it is companies/organizations don't want your opinion, the want their's repeated back to them.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Exit Interviews must be a Canadian phenomenon.

[pseudoreality]

Oh, I had tough one a year ago where I left a company that a had a lot of leadership problems. I said a lot of things, but did hold back on some to leave the door open a crack. A year later I still think about it, but also the chances of me ever wanting to go back are slim to none.

[Ashartus]

Personally as a manager I'd rather know about potential problems so they can be addressed, and would like to see honesty (though with enough tact that you aren't burning bridges unnecessarily). It might be different if the person you have problems with is the one doing the interview though.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

Exit Interviews must be a Canadian phenomenon.

It's the polite thing to do.

[Hockey_Ninja]

All i can think of is Toby's exit interview on The Office.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Ashartus

Personally as a manager I'd rather know about potential problems so they can be addressed, and would like to see honesty (though with enough tact that you aren't burning bridges unnecessarily). It might be different if the person you have problems with is the one doing the interview though.

This is not meant to attack you in any sense but should managers and management be pro-active in looking for and addressing problems before they land on their desk?

[Barbecue]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

This is not meant to attack you in any sense but should managers and management be pro-active in looking for and addressing problems before they land on their desk?

Please dont derail this thread

[TorqueDog]

My last exit interview wasn't a questionnaire, it was an actual 'interview'. Why did you decide to leave, what did you enjoy about your time here, what could be improved, etc.

I was candid. I had (and still have) a great relationship with that company, I told them what was awesome about working there, and where they dropped the ball with regard to my continued employment with them. I hope the feedback was valuable.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Depends on who's doing the exit interview. If it's a Sr HR member and I know they're going to take my comments seriously, I'll give them some santitized honesty. If it's the low level HR droid that is just filling in a form I just try and make it go by as fast as possible.

[Yakbutter]

I wouldn't even bother doing the interview. I don't see what I would have to gain from bad mouthing the company on my way out the door.

[BlackArcher101]

In the company I just left, they don't perform exit interviews. However, I requested one as I saw a lot of good potential and if I were them, I'd want to know why people are leaving. They never took the offer.

Looking back, I'm glad they didn't. If you are honest and able to tell management things that is a surprise to them, then how competent is that management team? The way I see it, if management didn't see it coming or turned a blind eye to the problems, then how likely is your honest information going to have any meaning? Other than trying to improve the workplace for the co-workers left behind, what value does an exit interview have to myself or the employer?

Just leave on amicable terms and answer their questions with a general answer that doesn't offend or point fingers (if at all).

[Wastedyouth]

I quit a company last year that had a very very low level of turnover in its history (for various reasons).

When I offered my notice my boss was legitimately shocked.

When I did my exit interview I was polite but ripped on the division i worked in pretty harshly. The HR lady was very appreciative of my feedback. Or so she claimed.

They came at me 6 months ago to return to my position, but I refused as nothing has changed since I left.

So basically I think the exit interviews are useless.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Interesting thread. Hits home for me as I've been struggling with the decision to leave my current job, based solely on an extremely negative direct supervisor. Attempts to switch to one of the other two crews have failed as operators in the same position with me have refused, knowing his reputation. I've confronted him privately on three occasions over the last 18 months, each time buying us all about one week of being treated like normal human beings. I definitely hate the idea of going to his manager about it, but one person making an entire crew miserable seems like bull#### to me. I will probably end up moving on and requesting an exit interview where I can explain without the risk that I still have to work for the guy every day.

[Wastedyouth]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jahrmes

Interesting thread. Hits home for me as I've been struggling with the decision to leave my current job, based solely on an extremely negative direct supervisor. Attempts to switch to one of the other two crews have failed as operators in the same position with me have refused, knowing his reputation. I've confronted him privately on three occasions over the last 18 months, each time buying us all about one week of being treated like normal human beings. I definitely hate the idea of going to his manager about it, but one person making an entire crew miserable seems like bull#### to me. I will probably end up moving on and requesting an exit interview where I can explain without the risk that I still have to work for the guy every day.

If you enjoy your job, you have to go to your manager first. Don't let #######s like this get away with it.

If anything, think about your coworkers and how quitting without trying to deal with the guy will affect them as well.

If you have gotten to the point that you think would move on anyways, why not try to straighten this guy out, who knows, maybe it will create a change and if it doesnt, at least you tried.

Just my opinion though. I have been in a similar situation before.

[calgarywinning]

I agree, that you always have to address issues in the workplace on a per incident level, as close to the incident as possible to make a positive change. Being level headed, presenting the facts as close to the incident to upper management will gain you more respect or at least clarity then addressing it well after the fact, after you have taken action.

I think an exit interview is not the right place to address this type of issue. It comes across as sour grapes, or I don't give a damn, or vindictive. In my opinion, you should focus on the positive experiences you had and what you took away with the experience. Maybe a few helpful sincere suggestions that are constructive.

We had great team members that lacked direction, were under pressure, but always pulled together to do the right thing for the customer. Kind of like the very first job interview!!

I have many experiences that include people leaving and I have to say they are dead men/woman walking when they announce. It's like abandoning ship and their personal involvement goes from wherever it was to don't give 2 craps or 3 craps about it. Very few remain professional to the end.