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Original poster

Im leaving my job - what can I say when asked why by employer?

35 replies

tutututu · 16/04/2021 02:07

I started a new job around 7 months ago and hate it. Its getting progressively worse and I have decided to leave. I know that I am very fortunate that I can do this and am very grateful.

My issue is what can I say if they ask why? I usually have another job lined up when leaving a job but I don't this time. The job is the same job I have been doing for the past 10 years so I can't say anything about it not being for me / not what I expected.

OP posts:
Gingernaut · 16/04/2021 02:11

If you've been doing the same job for years, why is this job so bad?

MadMadMadamMim · 16/04/2021 02:15

I'd keep it politely vague and simply say your personal circumstances have changed.

Original poster
tutututu · 16/04/2021 02:15

its not the job, its the people, the management, the team minus a few nice people!

OP posts:

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Original poster
tutututu · 16/04/2021 02:17

MadMadMadamMim Im not sure how vague I can keep it as Im sure I will have an exit type meeting as they are obsessed with meetings over everything and anything.

OP posts:
ThreeorFour · 16/04/2021 02:21

Could you make up some kind of excuse about family? Something unexpected has come up with a family member or something about needing to go and help a vulnerable relative.

ginandvomit · 16/04/2021 02:23

Do you need a good reference from them? If so I'd tell a white lie and perhaps say you want a personal break.

cantthinkofauniquename · 16/04/2021 02:23

Can you not tell the truth but removing any emotion. If you're going to make up an excuse, can you not just decline the exit interview?

MadMadMadamMim · 16/04/2021 02:25

But they don't have the right to insist you tell them anything!

You might have won the lottery. Your DH might have been diagnosed with a terminal illness. You might be a victim of DV who is intending to flee to a refuge 300 miles away from your abuser.

I would simply repeat I'm afraid I'm not going to go into any more detail. I have given you my resignation and informed you it is due to personal reasons. My last working day will be X. Keep it short and coolly factual.

RainbowMum11 · 16/04/2021 02:28

Or just be honest - otherwise how will they learn and have the chance to change their behaviour?

Blacktothepink · 16/04/2021 02:32

Say that you’re leaving because they’re a bunch of wankers! 🤣

Losttheequipment · 16/04/2021 02:46

I wouldn’t burn your bridges, risk getting yourself a bad reputation in the industry or wreck any references you might need. People talk to people! Just go with change of circumstances at home or personal reasons needing some time out.

HelloItsMia · 16/04/2021 05:22

This question is usually responded with something like “I’m looking for a new challenge/ looking for something more fullfilling”

icelollycraving · 16/04/2021 05:27

They don’t have a right to your personal thoughts but it is their chance to learn. What did you like about the role in other workplaces? Use that as a route on what you’re looking for.

Oblomov21 · 16/04/2021 05:32

Why would you not be politely honest. I really hate all the suggestions of making up lies. You can tell the truth, but subtly, without naming names.

AColdDuncanGoodhew · 16/04/2021 05:44

I’d tell the truth. I finish up my job in a few weeks and I was really honest with my boss which she appreciated as it gives them the opportunity to change things if needed.

Sunflowergirl1 · 16/04/2021 05:51

It does depend on need for a reference, although many employers refuse to give references now except for confirming that you worked there, the period of time and occasionally reason for leaving if dismissed. Doing any more can lead to such grief and occasionally employment tribunal risks so they just don't bother given you have gone. When they do and they are bad, I sometimes have to treat them with caution as they can be just bitterness the employee left

I employed someone who had left like you are doing...she said from week one she hated it, the job wasn't what she had been sold (yes employers do massage what the job is to get people in) and she hated the team...was working for a local council and she said some of the practices were bordering on corrupt etc) and she left a week before 6 months were up which meant she could leave with a weeks notice instead of 3 months

Frankly if there is no hope of them changing..and sounds like it's a real culture issues I wouldn't bother

Skyla2005 · 16/04/2021 06:10

Why don't you just tell the truth ?

gurglebelly · 16/04/2021 06:15

Why can't you be honest? It may help the people left behind

Roonerspismed · 16/04/2021 06:19

Agree with polite honesty. It’s the only way companies can improve for others

Silkiescats · 16/04/2021 06:27

If you are planning on leaving anyway I would be honest but in a way that's constructive if you could do that and stay feeling OK. If not I would say childcare reasons or similar assuming you have kids, if not an elderly relative.

Cuntryhouse · 16/04/2021 06:29

You could say you don't feel that you align with the organisation's culture. You could add a few factual examples, but don't get emotional. CV wise, are you able to pretend you never worked there?

KindleRemote · 16/04/2021 06:41

Why not just be politely honest? Give constructive criticism. You mention excessive meetings. You could say that you felt time spent in meetings kept you away from doing the work that you enjoyed.

I wouldn't launch into a bitch session about your former colleagues. Keep it work related and focus on what could be done better etc.

When I left my last job, I was brutally honest about why I was leaving. But I was moving within the same organisation so references weren't so much of an issue. To be fair, even the managers were of the same opinion on a lot of the problems and accepted not much would change. I am diplomatic when other people ask why I left though. Just because I hated the job, someone else might love it.

ArtemisiaGentle · 16/04/2021 06:47

Something vague like "I don't think this job is the right fit for me" or some such waffle.

vixeyann · 16/04/2021 06:50

I think you can tell if being honest is likely to make a difference. My last job was just an awful work environment.people left weekly and were openly unhappy. I left after a year and was a 'long term' staff member. Despite this, management failed to acknowledge they were the problem and all the issues were down to them not having the right people in the posts. Be vague if it's a similar situation.

Dustyhedge · 16/04/2021 07:01

Don’t be totally honest. I left a job I was miserable in because I felt bullied and undermined by my boss. I have since been in touch with lots of ex colleagues in a work capacity. Lots of sectors are quite insular and small.

I wrote what I wanted to say on the exit interview form then deleted and wrote something diplomatic and picked out a few constructive examples where the organisation could improve.