Should I ask for an Exit Interview?

28 Comments

1. AnonymousApril 26,2023 at 2:22PM UTC

   I think there’s a right to ask as some companies and organizations have exit interviews as their policy. Better safe than sorry to have proof of leaving on a good note, if that is the manner of leaving…An exit interview can protect you of any bad claims in leaving in bad standing and yes-you should be able to provide feedback about your experience as well as tips for improvement. Good luck.

2. Megan LeasherApril 26,2023 at 2:23PM UTC

   I would ask for the exit interview; they may or may not be interested in hosting one. I see no issue with reaching out to your board member friend so long as your feedback is constructive and actionable (not for a negative vent purpose).

3. AnonymousApril 26,2023 at 2:53PM UTC

   Do you have things that need to be said in an exit interview? Reaching out to your board member friend may be OK to do, but if you really have some sharing points on the true workings of the library, I wouldn't use the board member friend. I would ask for the exit interview. If what you have to say is just kvetching about the workings, then leave with your head held high with no exit interview.

4. AnonymousApril 26,2023 at 5:01PM UTC

   The board member friend is on the Library Board. They'd be the ones talking to me.

5. AnonymousApril 27,2023 at 1:55PM UTC

   If the board is doing the exit interview, they are probably waiting to see if they can assemble the board and what time it might be. Many board members will have other full-time jobs.

6. AnonymousApril 26,2023 at 3:11PM UTC

   I didn't get an exit interview after working at a library, though granted it was for only 2 years.

   There's no harm in asking for one. Though I wouldn't speak to your board member friend, unless there's a serious safety or legal issue you believe needs to be addressed.

7. AnonymousApril 26,2023 at 4:25PM UTC

   Congrats on your tenure and helping the world get lost in reading and books!

   This might seem blunt or be an unpopular opinion, but the answer is no. If they haven't asked you yet, they aren't interested in what you have to say.

   Consider your purpose in asking - to what end? What exactly do you think will happen as a result of sharing your wisdom?

   When we leave jobs with which we have concerns or resentment (which may be the things that lead us to leave in the first place) we want to think that we are going to have the final word and be the hero/ine.

   After 21 years, you alone are not going to change the culture. Your board friend is not going to be an avenging angel who suddenly enacts sweeping changes by dint of being your friend, highly-placed contact or not. If that person had concerns and was there to do more than have the prestige of sitting on the board, they would have already taken action from their position to know the true situation. The library would already run better on their watch.

   You aren't going to get satisfaction for anything you've been forced to endure as part of working there. You won't "save" those good people working there who will continue to endure things by choosing to remain there.

   I've conducted them. I've sat in them. Rarely, if ever, do exit interviews make an impact. Ultimately, you'll walk away feeing the same as you do now.

   Many years ago when I was a new supervisor, I had complaints galore about how management was running things. My boss gave me advice I'll never forget. "It isn't your job to tell the CEO of this corporation everything that is wrong with the company."

   It's time to let it go. Know that you did the best job you could under the circumstances and move on to the new things that give you joy.

8. AnonymousApril 26,2023 at 5:00PM UTC

   Interesting thoughts!

   My hubby's always conducted exit interviews with anyone that leaves, he's been in public education for two decades. His thought was who better to ask about the inner-workings of the organization rather than someone who has been inside it for 21 years?

   We don't have an HR committee at all. As someone else started, I may be asked later. 5 years ago, a part-timer left , on good terms (just moving) and she was asked to give one.

   This spoke to me--it's a lot of other staff asking me, wanting me to voice some opinions ( You won't "save" those good people working there who will continue to endure things by choosing to remain there.)

9. AnonymousApril 28,2023 at 3:02PM UTC

   It would seem that way, but it's not really a common practice any longer. No one takes action on things and with the state of the world, truth is on a sliding scale. The staff need to be responsible for themselves and voice their own concerns. Employers/Management never reacts well when someone is speaking for all, no matter where they are in the employment cycle.

   Good luck on your next adventure!

10. AnonymousApril 26,2023 at 4:40PM UTC

    Sometimes they wait until your last day to ask for the interview. That way you can feel free to say whatever you need to without having to show face the next day! It can avoid an awkward situation.

11. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistApril 27,2023 at 3:10AM UTC

    I don't think it's necessarily odd you haven't been asked to do an exit interview. A lot of companies no longer do them.

    They usually turn out one of two ways - either the employee lies about why they're leaving or they unload on the person doing the exit interview. Neither is helpful nor productive.

    Your Board member friend may or may not be open to unsolicited advice. Some folks get defensive about that.

    In most cases, if they wanted to be a better company, they're already be one.

12. AnonymousApril 27,2023 at 9:13AM UTC

    I had one when I left an organization.
    It was a joke. The standard questions of why you are leaving, what did you like, not like.

    I hated the place. FULL of drama and disorganized. The woman that had the interview was constantly hateful to me prior so her asking "why did you choose to leave" is unreal. I played the part: "not a good fit, better opportunity, closer to home."

    She was HOPING I'd say something hateful but I didn't give her the satisfaction; too classy for this stupidity.
    ---
    I agree with another poster- nothing will change. If they have it on the last day, play along.

    This place I worked at gave me a party. It was organized by a woman that was often cruel to me behind my back. She called the grocery for the cake but refused to pick it up because it "showed she cares when she didn't". Made another girl pick it up.

    Ridiculous drama - glad I'm gone

13. AnonymousApril 27,2023 at 12:22PM UTC

    First, ask, why hesitate if you've not been asked first? Exit interviews only bring value for certain specific reasons so it's not always a practice followed through on. I would say go to your manager first to get that scheduled and if they're unable to commit then to theirs. Small amount of employees if concerns aren't out there and obvious that is egregious. If you don't get one, then I would wait and set up an informal discussion with your board member friend.

14. AnonymousApril 27,2023 at 12:30PM UTC

    If it's going to help others, you should do it, but things have changed a bit. You have so much tenure at the company that it sort of makes sense that you're in a space where you're moving on whereas to someone who has worked there less than a year or a year signals deeper issues.

15. rgstaffing@bellsouth.netApril 27,2023 at 12:31PM UTC

    The exit interview is mainly for the company, not the employee. My question is why do you feel you need one? You have turned in your resignation--i would let it go. If the company wants an exit interview, they will reach out to you. Otherwise, go in grace. Not all companies offer or want exit interviews.

16. AnonymousApril 27,2023 at 12:41PM UTC

    Why do you want one so bad? If they haven't asked I would assume they don't really value your opinion.

    If an exit interview would help you heal and move on ask your friend on the board for a favor. Maybe they can sit with you and hear you out

17. AnonymousApril 27,2023 at 5:09PM UTC

    just leave - if they don't care enough to ask, they don't care and that tells you all you need to know.

18. AnonymousApril 27,2023 at 6:20PM UTC

    I'm on good terms with EVERYONE...it's kinda hilarious. My hubby just keeps saying "WHY" don't they want to talk with an employee who has been there for more than 2 decades? What an insider point of view.

    I guess I'll let it go. I doubt they ask my last day, I just had to inquire about getting paid for unused vacation days and they had to consult, as no one that has vacation days has quit in more than 20 years. Our handbook says employees may be asked for an exit interview or I can request one.

19. AnonymousApril 28,2023 at 2:00AM UTC

    Hi,

    If you feel strongly, you can ask for an exit interview or write an exiting letter to the company letting them know your thoughts.

20. Keri WilsonApril 28,2023 at 4:06PM UTC

    I don't think it's that they "don't care". Based on the final paycheck situation, they maybe just don't know what to do. You said no one has left in a really long time. They maybe just don't have "a process for this". That's their bad, but it's likely not at all personal. Good luck in your new adventure!

21. Lisa MarieApril 28,2023 at 1:06PM UTC

    Hello Mrs Anonymous with 21 tears of commitment, kudos on your commitment, and congrats on moving on to your greener pasture(s).

    You having stayed with the one organization for 21 years is why youre probably not aware that it is not really a standard business practice anymore to conduct exit interviews.

    It may be that some regional HR or higher level regionsl leader (who really cares about its people resources) "may" request one *IF* there has been a cyclical churn in the last 1-2 years of senior or key roles in a department/location.

    For the most part, the verbiage stating that one "may" be conducted, simple remains in the handbook from a time long past when companies cared and valued the opinions of its people asset. And before you ask, it is safe to say that the parts of employee handbooks that tends to be updated frequently, are the parts needed to address recurrent challenges in organizations. ;-)

    Most companies do not care anymore - and "at will employment" termination /resignation practices proves this to be true. So if you're thinking your comments may make things better for others you're leaving behind, 9.5 out of 10 times - it doesn't.

    I say, simply sail out into the sunset and on to your new sunrise. Go be fabulously dedicated in your future new role(s) as you have been for the last 21 years.

    Be well.

22. AnonymousApril 28,2023 at 1:17PM UTC

    In my Fortune 500 company you have to ask to have an exit interview.

23. AnonymousApril 28,2023 at 1:20PM UTC

    If you feel like leaving information and they didn't ask for an exit interview, there is always Glassdoor where you can review the company and stay anonymous.

24. Monica NewbyApril 28,2023 at 1:53PM UTC

    I did at my last job, in which working there was horrible, and I felt the need to let them know about it. I called our HR department and got it all off my chest, for the betterment of my former co- workers and for our patients. Go Dr it!

25. Dcre1977April 28,2023 at 2:23PM UTC

    Most places do not do exit interviews anymore. I did do an interview with the legal department and HR after I left my last company at my insistence to discuss the hostile environment I faced. It did result in the termination of my previous manager, although I doubt anything else really changed.

26. surfnwriteApril 28,2023 at 6:57PM UTC

    I was not asked for an exit interview after being at a job for 7 years and doing good work with high approval. BUT I was also known as someone who would call out fakery and nefarious behavior when I saw it, and I think they didn't want me doing an exit interview and putting all that stuff on the record. It was kind of obvious as everyone else who left did get such an interview (people not as outspoken as me).

27. AnonymousApril 28,2023 at 6:58PM UTC

    I think you should ask. Use the exit to tie a neat bow around your experience and to make sure you professionally hand over any work that needs to be to others. Be sure that any monies owed to you or property of the company is also turned over. Thank them for the time spent and give them any feedback you need to about why you are leaving or where you are going as you see fit. You never know how they will take or use that info but hopefully if its anything that needs improvement they will take it to heart.

28. AnonymousApril 28,2023 at 9:27PM UTC

    If it will make you feel better then request one. I think the company is really not interested.

    Most companies allow for exit interviews to allow people to vent and everything off their chest.