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

[tutututu]

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.

Do they do an exit interview? I left for many deep and shitty reasons after working somewhere for 10 years. I had an exit questionnaire which I emailed on my way out the door.

I got an email to my personal account from HR thanking me - apparently it’s gone down in history as the best exit interview they’ve ever had.

I made sure to never criticise, I just explained what had happened from my side and how it made me feel - blocked from progression, not appropriately managed etc.

@Blacktothepink you made laugh and spray some of my coffee 😂

i definitely dont wan to be honest - i will need references and I don't want to burn any bridges. I don't think things would change if I was honest - they don't like change. Some of the systems and way of doing things are archaic!

I think I will go with needing a break.

Something like "the environment and job isn't the best fit for me" and leave it at that.
From my experience, they don't note or act on anything you raise at exit anyway. They don't have to..... You're leaving.

i definitely dont wan to be honest

Then you just say personal reasons. You don't have to elaborate.

I did an exit interview after a similar situation, I lasted 10 months, anyway I wasn't ready for the question and after the first few complaints that HR nodded along to I got emotional and she got bored.
I certainly didn't benefit from getting it off my chest at that point and I actually don't care what happened after I left so I'm annoyed I bothered.

I'm in a similar situation now and as I like the job more generally I'm going to raise the issues while there is still something to be done about them instead of quitting and telling them on the way out. I'm proud of myself for my maturity

I lasted 3 months
I walked out
Never replied to exit interview requests

There’s have been several before me who lasted a lot less.

Manager was a bully. Been there 17 years. Never going to change - pointless even trying

You can always tell the truth, it's all in the spin:

• I've definitely learned a lot while working here
• I appreciate the opportunity and experience the company has provided

You don't have to tell them anything, and you don't need to have an exit interview. If you have the exit interview stick with positive spin

Be honest, tell them exactly why, what have you to lose? I conduct exit interviews all the time and then need to recruit for a replacement. If there are issues it's helpful to know what they are so we can do something about it. If it's so bad it's made you leave the next person they bring in will probably leave too.

Just read your update. If you're not going to be honest please don't waste everyone's time, just tell them you don't want to do an exit interview. You're under no obligation. If you get pushed ask them to post it to you and you'll fill it out and return later (then don't obv).