Exit interviews, voluntary meetings between a departing employee and HR, aim to improve a company’s business practices, but some argue they are a legal safeguard. Experts disagree on their effectiveness, and employees should decide whether to participate based on their emotional state.
Exit interviews are voluntary meetings held between a member of a company’s Human Resources department and an employee who has resigned. While exit interviews are still a traditional practice, more and more companies in the modern era have moved away from them.
The goal of the exit interview is to ask questions that would presumably help the company improve the way it does business, especially in the area of employee satisfaction. Skeptics argue that these interviews are more of a hedge to protect companies from possible future lawsuits. In turn, if a former employee believes the company erred in some way, his remarks made during the exit interview could be used against him in court.
Career experts disagree on the effectiveness of exit interviews. One of the obvious benefits is that they actually help companies improve based on honest perceptions of an employee’s personal work experience. Other experts argue that interviews conducted while a person is still working for a company would be more candid and ultimately beneficial. A former employee may be disgruntled, afraid of burning bridges, or simply not caring about the company enough to provide valid, thoughtful answers.
Some frequently asked exit interview questions: What did you like or dislike about your job? What is your main reason for leaving? Do you have any advice to improve the company? Were you happy with your supervisor? Would you consider working for the company again in the future? Would you recommend working for the company to your family or friends? Have you ever been discriminated against or harassed while working at the company?
The final decision on whether to participate in an exit interview is based solely on the decision of the exiting employee. However, the employee is usually advised to keep the answers general. If a person feels that he won’t be able to repress heavy emotions or might get angry during the interview, he probably should continue to participate in the process.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
