Is it okay to be completely honest about toxic work culture/environment and manager in the exit interview?

22 Comments

1. AnonymousOctober 11,2024 at 12:57PM UTC

   You will likely get mixed responses here from what I've seen previously. I'm a very strong advocate for it, but not sure that everyone is. I will give you some examples:

   Years ago (now nearly 20 now that I think about it), I left a job no notice...just sent an response to an email from a nasty person and told her I was out - it was very toxic, there was a lot I wish I had known going into it (was where I had wanted to work for so long), the stress from this place was having an effect on my health, I didn't going on that the entire department had apparently turned over in the last year, etc. I reached my breaking point, and peaced out. The next day, after I calmed down a bit, I reached out to HR there, essentially demanded an exit interview form (that's how they did them there), completed it, added an extra page of comments, returned it and demanded my vacation time be paid out, etc. They paid it out. I think the exit interview had somewhat of an effect in as much as I was not bad mouthed by my department head (he was not a good person, but he would say nothing bad about me).

   Years later, while working in HR, I did the exit interviews. We did them consistently, using the same set of questions for everyone and looked for trends, and sometimes actually took action based on those trends.

   I'm not sure what the arguments are for not doing them, but people can certainly refuse if they want to. What I wouldn't want is for someone to go in saying everything was awesome, everyone was awesome, and they are lying through the teeth. What's the point, then?

2. AnonymousOctober 11,2024 at 3:29PM UTC

   I agree with what you said that you wouldn't want someone to lie and say that everything was awesome when in fact it wasn't. Let's be honest, there's no such animal as a perfect work environment However, I'm one of those that would rather not do an exit interview for the simple reason that my opinions are just that, my opinions. I could say that something or someone was atrocious or just the opposite but someone coming after me wouldn't see it or experience it that way.

   I'm sure the exit interviews are helpful in identifying any egregious behaviors as they very well should. But I just feel that everyone will experience a work culture differently.

3. AnonymousOctober 11,2024 at 6:01PM UTC

   Definitely people will experience work culture differently. Now, that said, I have experienced more than once something that was brought to light...and we (be it HR, the manager, someone) had no clue - and if it was something that could have been corrected, changed, etc. that's even more frustrating. But we have also been able to identify trends that could be addressed, training needs that we didn't know, etc.

4. AnonymousOctober 12,2024 at 2:11PM UTC

   Unfortunately exit interviews are a

   waste of time in most companies and can be used against the exiting employees by labeling them do not re hire. HR departments aren’t what we’d like them to be.

5. Paulla Fetzek, MSEdOctober 11,2024 at 1:12PM UTC

   Hello!

   I believe the exit interview is an appropriate time for an employee to discuss both the good and bad of the company culture.

   Side note: I find it sad that employees feel they can't talk before they leave - or don't have the avenue in which to do so. I'm sad when I hear that an employee left because of an issue that could've easily been remedied - had the company listened.

   Hopefully the negative comments can be done respectfully. But at times that's difficult depending upon how toxic the culture and the cause for the employee leaving.

6. AnonymousOctober 11,2024 at 1:13PM UTC

   What is toxic to one person is completely fine to another.

   Most often once you leave everyone in HR rolls their eyes. And enters-"do not re-hire" and moves on with their day

   People are under the impression that their opinions hold weight. While you want to help create a better environment for those left behind, the sad truth is that if you asked each person that remains at the company you'll find that most will not say anything is wrong.

7. AnonymousOctober 11,2024 at 2:48PM UTC

   It’s giving retaliation because what would be the reason for the do not rehire? And why would HR roll their eyes? People leave jobs everyday for whatever reason…. To say people’s opinions don’t matter is the exact reason why boards like this exist. Your whole response is troubling, sad and perpetuates said toxic behavior.

   This is the exact reason why unions, EEOC and Whistleblower hotlines exist now.

   To my knowledge exit interviews aren’t required/mandatory/the law. They conduct them for a reason, so trust SOMEONE is reading/documenting!

8. AnonymousOctober 11,2024 at 5:03PM UTC

   I completely agree and also find this reply troubling.

   The whole part about the sad truth being if you asked people who remain at the company most would not say anything was wrong… well, yeah. If your HR so obviously does not care about your well being, then what would be the point?

   I sincerely hope the responder does not actually work in HR.

9. AnonymousOctober 13,2024 at 3:22PM UTC

   This is why people that are able to stay often don’t speak up when there is a problem. People want to be able to work for various reasons and to take care of their various responsibilities and not worry about their feedback be used against them. Silence does not mean approval, or agreement.

10. AnonymousOctober 11,2024 at 2:13PM UTC

    If not at the exit interview, then when? I recommend being succinct with examples. Then, once it's all over, learn then let it go. It is very possible that others have had similar feedback, but HR needed to document trends before taking any formal action. You could start the trend or confirm the trend adding to others' feedback.

11. AnonymousOctober 11,2024 at 2:34PM UTC

    Not sure. It might make you feel better to unload and get in a final dig at someone that probably deserved it. But who's to say that it will change anything. I'm of the opinion that the higher ups are fully aware of what kind of culture exists at their orgs. After all, they've had a complicit hand in allowing it (them) to take ahold and fester, either by not addressing or encouraging certain types of behaviors and practices. It's probably best to be vague if asked to complete an exit interview or choose not to do one at all. Congratulations on your new opportunity.

12. AnonymousOctober 11,2024 at 3:05PM UTC

    At your own risk. I was honest and respectful at mine but I saw the representative roll their eyes when I was talking and received no follow up on the things they said they would do during the meeting. I get why people just focus on their wellbeing in these situations. You have to care for yourself more when a place shows they aren’t concerned about you.

13. AnonymousOctober 12,2024 at 12:27AM UTC

    Why? What do you expect to come from it?

    If it will help you find closure and heal then go for it.

14. AnonymousOctober 12,2024 at 10:59AM UTC

    Unfortunately, no.

    I was in a similar situation about a year ago.

    After trying to address the issues , in a very professionally manner on multiple occasions, I had finally had enough. I then gave proper notice and was asked why had I given notice and did someone say something to me etc.

    My response was that it was just time to move forward to other opportunities to broaden my skill set and that I was thankful for the opportunity and all that I had learned from it.

    Toxic work environments are quite prevalent and moving to another position doesn’t guarantee that the new environment will be without its own set of problems/issues.

    Maneuvering within the minefield of the modern workplace requires a skill set

15. AnonymousOctober 12,2024 at 2:05PM UTC

    Well said. I hope you moved on to something better.

16. AnonymousOctober 12,2024 at 12:40PM UTC

    You can be brutally honest about a toxic environment but as others have said, management is already aware of the office dynamics. Readjust expectations if you think your scathing exit interview will result in meaningful change. Few of us on this board are that important.

17. AnonymousOctober 12,2024 at 2:02PM UTC

    Nah. Its only valuable if you can make changes that effect you and your situation. You’re leaving so who cares. If your opinions on improvements mattered you probably wouldn’t be leaving. The other nasty thing is they can damage you from a far. For instance if this job doesn’t work out and you’re applying for something else ..the HR genius could say something like they would not re hire you. Or people in the company that make it toxic could remember you have a bad exit. Nope. Leave with a smile on your face and no bridges burned. Then, go

    on Glassdoor and other sites like that and blast them

    good luck and congratulations!

18. AnonymousOctober 12,2024 at 5:06PM UTC

    I believe in using exit interviews for exactly this purpose. HR is often aware of problems and needs this info to address them.

    Having said that, you need to choose your words carefully. For example, you can say that you had hoped that as opportunities to work on projects that would expand your knowledge base came up, you'd have been able to participate. You can't say that your boss showed favoritism and only gave opportunities to their friends.

    If there were things that could turn into legal issues for the company, you can give them a heads-up.

    Good for you in moving on.

19. Me!October 12,2024 at 6:31PM UTC

    When toxic culture and bad behavior are present the company is aware and have already decided not to fix it either by allowing and or choosing to ignore it. Based on this in my opinion they do not deserve your feedback. Leave with grace and limit any perceived bridge burning, just in case you cross paths later.

20. AnonymousOctober 13,2024 at 1:12PM UTC

    I was honest about the culture that had shifted over the years with the previous company I was with. The reality was/is, they won't make change - they like the direction - and bad behaviour is accepted unless it's sexual assault. HR didn't care. Did it bite me? No but then I changed industries. After leaving, it took months to de-stress and shift back to working in a collaborative manner in my new job. It should have been easier to do but it wasn't due to the abuse from management and their non-chalant attitude about my experience. I gave points, put it in a letter without malice and reiterated it all in 2 subsequent off-boarding interviews/surveys. Maybe someone is listening - it's doubtful though.

21. Sue Gordon- retired Career CoachOctober 13,2024 at 4:30PM UTC

    I would be somewhat honest but try not to burn bridges. It also depends on how bad it is. What is the greater good?

    I do get frustrated that bad managers continue because no one will tell anyone- they just leave the organization. It can take HR a while to see patterns of people leaving if , especially if they don't have data saying "hey this person is toxic" because everyone who left just said they were leaving for brighter pastures or such.

    Give specific data of what makes the manager toxic but be careful. Will it potentially help others? Might you need this person in the future?

    It's a careful dance. Take care of yourself, but also consider what is best for all concerned.

22. AnonymousOctober 16,2024 at 2:31PM UTC

    I once left a company for similar reasons (bad environment)... AFTER I left, I sent a scathing email to the CEO breaking down everything he couldn't possibly know about what working at the company really was like...

    I explained the policies that made no sense at the branch level and why they were counterproductive (he never worked at the branch level so how would he know?).

    Explained how mid-level managers were using branch managers to cheat the system so everyone could keep their jobs.

    Gave an earful on the culture of fear - particularly of losing your job - and how the company policies enabled that culture.

    And a discussion of how to fix it all...

    I kept in touch with my assistant manager after I left, and she told me that the company was making a lot of changes and many of them were directly related to what I had written... But the exit interview means NOTHING. Don't waste the oxygen it would take to stay calm. Keep your mouth shut and go to the top later.