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Original poster

Ex manager wants to meet to discuss exit interview

30 replies

Catherine1987 · 20/06/2019 17:06

I resigned from a job about a month ago, it was a 12 month fixed term contract and I did 6 months. I left due to the toxic atmosphere, and constant pressure to do extra hours despite having agreed part time hours as a reasonable adjustment for my long term health condition. After I left I was sent an exit questionnaire to complete and I gave honest feedback about how I was treated. I've had an email from the head of department today, asking me to meet her to discuss it. I'm not sure why, I've left and haven't raised a formal grievance. What reason could there be, and should I agree to meet her in my own time when I've already left and want to put the whole sorry episode behind me?

OP posts:
OllyBJolly · 20/06/2019 17:08

You don't have to meet her. I would assume that she wants to understand more about your concerns so that she can address them and improve the working environment for the rest of the employees.

I'd be impressed she's taking it seriously.

BobbinThreadbare123 · 20/06/2019 17:09

I would say no. No good can come of this and it's not your problem; you left and you'd like to move on. I wouldn't even bother replying. (actually I'd type out a reply, get any remaining annoyance out of my system and delete without sending)

Proteinshakesandtears · 20/06/2019 17:10

Exit interviews are every useful for companies to understand why people leave.

Wether I met with her would depend on several things.

What do I want to get out of it?

And did any of your feedback relate to her directly?

She may just want to give you a piece of her mind and be a twat.

She may be genuinely concerned by what you fedback and want to make changes.

What she want can be either end of the scale.

Finfintytint · 20/06/2019 17:10

You can decline but it seems there is an opportunity for the business to learn from its mistakes. It’s a positive thing.

Dyrne · 20/06/2019 17:11

The time for your manager to meet with you to address your concerns has long passed - she needs to focus on her current team and how she can improve the working environment for them; not meeting with ex employees to hash things out.

Chewbecca · 20/06/2019 17:12

It is good practice to hold an exit interview, no specific reason needed, it might well be policy that all early leavers are invited to one.

You don't have to accept though.

WhiskersPete · 20/06/2019 17:12

No good can come of this

Apart from the manager trying to address issues to improve the workplace for others.

Original poster
Catherine1987 · 20/06/2019 17:14

Also should have said it's not convenient as I'm finishing off a couple of weeks temping this week and starting my new job on Monday, so no free time really.

OP posts:
sackrifice · 20/06/2019 17:14

I'd ask her for the meeting agenda before I agreed to it.

Also about getting paid for the time spent plus travel.

BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 20/06/2019 17:18

Tell her you don't have time but you would be willing to answer a few constructive questions by email. Or just say you don't want to, if you don't.

Redwinestillfine · 20/06/2019 17:19

I would try and meet her ( at a time convenient to you) if she's any sort of manager she will want to find out what they could have done differently. It doesn't look good for companies to have people leaving due to the atmosphere and they'll take it seriously further up the chain. You could be doing future employees a massive favour.

Original poster
Catherine1987 · 20/06/2019 17:20

If I had any faith that she genuinely wanted to improve the situation for others I might feel inclined to be helpful, but she was made aware of concerns beforehand and didn't act. I was very upset and stressed and my fear is she just wants an opportunity to have a go at me. That might be because I still feel the effects of being there though. I don't want to get anything out of it, I can't see what's in it for me. None of my feedback related to her personally.

OP posts:
FaithFrank · 20/06/2019 17:25

In that case, just politely decline. Put the episode behind you and focus on your new job.

FartingInTheFence · 20/06/2019 17:37

I wouldnt waste a second thinking about you.

You left and owe them nothing. Dont reply. Block email and delete, then as you were.

Fuck em. :)

FartingInTheFence · 20/06/2019 17:38

Doh - that should read:

I wouldnt waste a second thinking about THEM!!!!

Original poster
Catherine1987 · 20/06/2019 18:16

Thanks all. I'm not going to go. I might offer to answer any questions she has over email, that sounds like a good compromise and will help if she does genuinely want to make improvements.

OP posts:
OnTheEdgeOfTheNight · 20/06/2019 18:22

Either she was aware that you (and others) were working in a toxic environment and she ignored it, or she is oblivious to what's going on in her department. So she's Incompetent or indifferent? Either way, she should be talking to people who still work there.

cookingonwine · 20/06/2019 18:27

Depends if you want her to learn from your experience?

daisychain01 · 20/06/2019 18:52

Also should have said it's not convenient as I'm finishing off a couple of weeks temping this week and starting my new job on Monday, so no free time really

Don't you have your answer?

You gain nothing
You'd be using your time why should you
They could have been good employers so why the navalgazing now you've left.
This person isn't even implicated.

JeezOhGeeWhizz · 20/06/2019 18:55

Nope.
Don't bother at all now.
That ship has sailed and she really is dense if she can't see that.

daisychain01 · 20/06/2019 18:55

What really irks me is HR sending out exit interview questionnaires, when the business tolerate toxic management behaviour. They don't deal with shit they just keep sending out questionnaires

MaybeitsMaybelline · 20/06/2019 19:00

I’d speak to her on the phone but I wouldn’t meet up. That way you can terminate the call at any time.

RomanyQueen · 20/06/2019 19:01

Thank you for your kind offer to meet to discuss x but I have moved on from the sod sorry tale now.
If you hear anything else, say yes sure, my time is being billed from now on.

Original poster
Catherine1987 · 20/06/2019 19:14

Daisychain she's implicated in that she's the line manager of the woman who was my line manager, and she's head of the whole function. Having said that you are quite right, I don't know why I've given this headroom, there's nothing in it for me and the idea of speaking to any of them makes me feel anxious.

OP posts:
Lairydea · 20/06/2019 19:15

If I had any faith that she genuinely wanted to improve the situation for others I might feel inclined to be helpful, but she was made aware of concerns beforehand and didn't act. I was very upset and stressed and my fear is she just wants an opportunity to have a go at me.

@Catherine1987 I'd personally go back to her with this ^^
"Thanks for the opportunity to discuss my concerns; however you were made aware of the concerns prior to my departure and I don't feel any action was taken which is why I'm leaving. I don't feel discussing them further will be of benefit to me. Wish you the best for the future"