Exit interview

[Lifeissoexpensivenow]

They say employees don’t leave jobs, they leave terrible managers.

How honest should I be in my exit interview?

It’s a large company and the old fashioned mgt style in our department completely undermines the progressive culture that our leadership is trying to nurture.

I don’t need a reference.

I left a previous job for similar reasons (toxic culture) and didn’t say a word in my exit interview but often ruminate about that job as it really damaged my self esteem and mental health.

If you don't need a reference, and you're not planning on working for them again, I would be honest but try and be professional in your delivery.

If you don't need a reference be totally honest.
But deliver it professionally not like your bitching about x y and z

Been in the situation where I've had friends leave from my team and a few were totally honest and it actually helped / things changed.

No-one is ever honest in those things. Just say you're moving to something you're really excited about and that they've helped you grow as a person or whatever tolerable bullshit you can concoct.

You're the common denominator if the same thing happens twice. It might pay to consider whether you're asking too much? There's no such thing as a good manager. There is, however, employees who get on with it and make things happen regardless...

@Avarua

No-one is ever honest in those things. Just say you're moving to something you're really excited about and that they've helped you grow as a person or whatever tolerable bullshit you can concoct.

You're the common denominator if the same thing happens twice. It might pay to consider whether you're asking too much? There's no such thing as a good manager. There is, however, employees who get on with it and make things happen regardless...

There definitely is a such thing as a good manager. This sounds a bit victim Blamey

Oh yes I would be totally professional and not mention any names or incidents. I would keep it high level.

Eg ...expectation to work unpaid overtime on regular basis and not log it.... No all staff meetings or communication channels..... not taking mental health / staff wellbeing caused by work stress seriously (so contravenes company policies).

I’ve had 3 people approach me to say how unhappy they are - and they want to leave for similar reasons. Colleagues are all very nice and I have enjoyed working with the team.

tell them what you do need in a manager and thats why your leaving

My strategy is to say that you are moving toward a role that offers whatever you feel is lacking in your current situation. Over the years, that has for me been flexible working, promotion opportunities and increased autonomy in my role. That can be a positive, professional way of saying that you are leaving because your current employer is rigid in work patterns/presenteeism, doesn’t support career development and you feel you’re being inappropriately micromanaged. Can you phrase it that way - what are you moving toward, that you don’t have where you are?

I think you should just be honest! Especially if others are thinking of leaving. It will give management an opportunity to change things

@Avarua well it’s an employee’s market right now, so good luck to all the crap managers keeping staff. I think these dinosaurs are dying out, it’s so easy to change jobs now.

Personally speaking there’s nothing wrong with me. Although I’m not perfect but have excellent self awareness of my flaws - unlike most poor managers! I’ve got a lot of skills and experience so feel confident going into my new job. I have selected the new employer carefully, we talked a lot about preferred leadership styles (I’m in a leadership role).

@ivykaty44 hmmm that’s a great way of re-framing it

Yes @JennyWren I think that would work well

How do you think the conversation will go? Do they want to listen? If they dismiss your points/views you might end up feeling worse (I know I would). What are you going to gain from being honest? You might come across these people again no point burning bridges.

Had mine last week and I was honest. I had left due to dire management and a toxic environment that was affecting my mental health. I did not focus upon any one person and was diplomatic but I made my point. Had already started new job so nothing to lose.

Very much doubt it will make one iota of difference.

Interview is in a couple of weeks time with central HR team. It’s all v professional and company is genuinely interested in leaver feedback. There are people who have left recently who I know felt similar so a picture will be building up.

I won’t gain anything but I’m hoping closure, so I can move on. I’m all ears if there’s a better way to achieve that. Particularly book or podcast recommendations.

And I mean closure so I can stop ruminating, not settling scores!

Had mine yesterday. What a pointless tick box exercise for HR. Large company with a format so bland, and specific questions about unimportant things....it’s quite clear they don’t want to know what is going on in the department. Probably because it would just create more work for them!

I’ve seen terrible managers get away with behaviour which contravenes company policy/strategy and HR have their fingers in their ears ‘la, la, la’.

I’m a manager so have see the summary reports. Bland as fuck and you just know that’s not what the staff members really felt/wanted to say!