To think exit interviews shouldn't be done by managers?

[Redwine3]

I resigned from my job last month. I've been with the company for 7 years and mostly happy but the last year has been tough. There's been lots of changes and a new manager who I've not clicked with, so to speak. I'd say he's the main reason why I'm leaving (won't go into details). I start my new job in January which is exciting, but I had my exit interview yesterday with my manager which I found a bit awkward. Couldn't really be truthful or give honest feedback. I'm sure it's just a tick box exercise anyway but frustrating nonetheless.

AIBU to think it should have been done by HR or another manager?

I think they're usually done by managers unless you specifically request someone else, in my (NHS) experience.

Meh.

You should have declined it. No one can force you to have one.

Mine gave usually been done by HR (when there is a proper HR dept) for this exact reason.

Why can’t you be honest about why you’re leaving?

but not clicking with someone isn’t really something constructive they can work on.
if you had specific examples of how things could of been handled and done better why not just say
you can always email if you wouldn’t prefer not to say in person

They have always been done by HR anywhere I have worked.

@applestewing I do have examples but I'd be here all day if I wrote them down, he doesn't have the skills to manage a team imo. I can't imagine it being a nice conversation saying to someone "basically, you've done x, y, z wrong and I'm leaving because of you"

When I left my last job it was all done on paper directly to HR. It was changed to that because they felt people wouldn't be honest with face to face interviews. You could then choose to allow them to share it with your line manager. I'm not convinced anything was ever done anyway tbh. I was bullied out by a couple of nasty bastards and I have no reason to believe they were investigated.

There are ways of phrasing it. You could have said "I've found some of the changes you've introduced difficult" and list them and say why they've caused problems. Or "I think I work better with a different management style". Or talk in general terms about the culture they've introduced "I prefer a more collaborative rather than authoritative environment" "I'm looking for a better work life balance" and so on. Too late this time, unless you feel strongly enough to add additional comments to the notes before signing them.

They're usually done by HR anywhere I've worked.

True, but you should be able to articulate that without attacking him.

The majority of people choosing to leave do so because of their manager. One of the reasons we always offer an exit interview with HR if they prefer that, we also do an online one. Agree it’s a bit awks to do one with the person who is your reason for going!

I agree with you. I’ve left two jobs in the last 12 months - the first one because the organisation was shambolic and there wasn’t enough support. Exit interview was with an external HR provider and I felt able to be honest.

The second I left for a whole host of reasons, partly due to personality clashes within the (very small) team which were hopelessly ill-managed by the two directors. My exit interview was conducted by those two directors who told me it was a ‘safe space’ and they wanted me to be completely honest. I very lightly touched on one small thing they might think about improving and they were immediately defensive. I didn’t give any other honest feedback as it was hopeless.

They should be done by HR, for this reason. If several people leave and there is a common denominator, ie, the manager, then this can be dealt with.

I'm leaving my job today and my exit 'interview' was an online form where answers had to be typed in - not very satisfactory.

Given that HR mishandled a number of things in my final year (and before) I would not have wanted them to do my exit interview.

HR is meant to fo that.

They’re completely pointless anyway. I’ve never known anyone act on feedback given during an exit interview. It’s either positive (I loved it here but got a much better offer, career progression blah blah), or it’s a shit place to work, here’s what you need to do (written off as being a bitter employee).

They've always been done by management wherever I've worked. Should be done by HR imo.

I've only ever seen them done by HR. I've had 2 myself and know about other colleagues from companies or friends at others.

Just another sign that your company was a bit shit and it was good you left.

I wouldn't be honest at these things anyway. Not your job to hel

Exit interviews are only helpful if they are broader than the immediate working relationships. Following a staff survey pattern to an extent with the opportunity to request a F2F appointment with HR if required.

That provides much more effective feedback.

Argh, my phone went mental!
Not your job to help improve things for future employees is what I was going to say.
An ex manager once asked me straight 'oh I hope it wasn't anything I said'. It was. I gave a bland 'just looking for a change' or something reason. I'm not about to help ex employers work out all their issues! It's usually the manager anyway. I mean I was the 6th person out of 12 to leave in the space of 6 months, not exactly rocket science!

I think you could request someone else did it and nicely explain why via a confidential email.

I refused the last one I was invited to. It was an HR one.
I had escalated a raft of issues yo them created by my manager whose was frankly nuts.
They did feck all, so I left after 15 years.
Said manager carried on for at least 8 years after I left. And had numerous grievances raised.

Totally agree with you. You can spin it so that your feedback is encouraging (i.e. “I’d encourage you to have more ambition for the company” rather than “You’re lazy and have no vision”) but they’re never going to act on it anyway. There’s a reason why the things you disagree with haven’t been sorted and that’s because they don’t want to.

Hmm odd. Mine was done by another manager not directly connected to mine but worked within the same area. Generally they should be done by someone neutral to you,