Exit Interviews

Have you ever filled out an exit survey or attended an "exit interview"? My next question is Why? You've already been fired. What possible reason would you have to do it? Do you think the employer cares what you think now? The employer didn't care enough to find out what you thought while you were working there. Are you still being paid by the employer? uhh...no, you've been FIRED!. Oh that's right, you quit and you want to make sure you get your paycheck. Wrong again! You've already earned your pay.

What is an Exit Interview?
An exit interview is typically a meeting between at least one representative from a company's human resources (HR) department and a departing employee. The HR rep might ask the employee questions while taking notes, ask the employee to complete a questionnaire, or both.

What's the Purpose of an Exit Interview?

Human resources departments conduct exit interviews to gather data for improving working conditions, (so they say) and retaining employees (so they say). However, the true purpose is to help employers avoid costly litigation down the road, caused by "disgruntled" employees. In other words, your comments and the notes an HR rep takes or gathers during your exit interview might be used against you in court, should you decide to sue your former employer. Exit interviews are for the employer's benefit only. In most cases the employer uses the information against you at an unemployment hearing or at a future Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) claim.

Must I Submit to an Exit Interview?

No. It's your right to decline an exit interview. A reputable employer will respect your decision. However, a not-so-reputable employer might resent that you didn't participate and file a "would not rehire" or similar adverse notation in your personnel records.

Should I Participate in an Exit Interview?

I question the usefulness of an exit interview. A better time to conduct such a meeting is while an employee is committed, not while he or she is on the way out the door and concerned about burning a bridge. If you do participate, at your own peril, I would advise giving "generic" responses only or at least think carefully before responding.

There are risks for departing employees which include the information falling into the wrong hands and ruining references, the employer revealing negative information during a background check, and, the employer submitting either positive or negative information as evidence in a lawsuit.

Some things to consider before participating in an exit interview:
• As a departing employee, will you benefit from an exit interview?
• Is the exit interview anonymous or must you sign a questionnaire or the HR rep's notes?
• Is the reason you're leaving any of the company's business or an invasion of your privacy?
• Why did your employer wait until you're leaving to ask your opinion?
• Will the HR department really use your comments for improvements or are they just trying to find out the "real" reason you're leaving?
• Might an exit interview burn a bridge, ruin a reference or cause an adverse background check for you?
• Might you sue your former employer down the road?

Have you filled out an exit interview and lived to regret it?