Do organisations need exit interviews?
Exit interviews are crucial for organisations in the long run if they want to reduce employee turnover. These interviews are vital sources for valuable information which can help the organisation understand the reason behind an employee's departure.
Exit interviews should only be conducted if the organisation plans to evaluate the feedback obtained from them. Otherwise, interviews done for the sake of an HR policy are of no use to the organisation. Issues related to senior managers are seldom addressed in our country and hence most interviews have no fruitful outcomes. Here are some important things to keep in mind to conduct an effective exit interview.
Identifying the reason behind the employee's departure
The interviews should be conducted timely and not months after the employee's departure. The questions should be structured and meaningful. An employee who filed for resignation is likely to have accepted an offer in another organisation, hence retaining this employee is not the goal of the interview. Rather, the employees should be encouraged to talk about problems they faced while working.
Employees are afraid of retaliation in the future as they will need references from their bosses, hence in most cases they choose not to discuss issues with their superiors. Presence of senior management assures departing employees that they can talk about the problems openly.
Reducing your liability
In these interviews, reminding the employees of post-employment agreements like non-competes and confidentiality clauses is very important. Discussing the legal terms after termination reduces liability on your part. You also need to mention rehiring options, if available, as this provides you the scope of retaining talented employees.
Ensuring legal compliances
You also need to investigate whether the reason behind the employee leaving had anything to do with workplace discrimination or any sensitive issue. This might aid you in your defence if these employees ever file a lawsuit against the company in the future.
Expressing gratitude and being respectful
The exit interview is a learning experience for both parties involved. You must treat your departing employees well and express your gratitude to them for their services. If they are treated with respect, they can be lifelong advocates for your company.
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