Exit interview - is it worth being honest?

[Mamma136585]

I'm pretty angry about a couple of things that led me to resign. But I gave a very benign reason for going to improve my exit package. Is there any point to the exit interview or should I decline to have it? I may be burning that bridge even if I was polite and diplomatic because I would be criticising both the person at the top and my line manager.

Consider the person conducting the interview. Are they trustworthy and fair?

I used conduct exit interviews in the public sector (not for my own team, of course). I would aggregate the results so that they were anonymous and feed them back via SLT over time. We did make some changes as a result of what we learned.

Can you separate your anger from things that can and should be changed? If so, please do it. It can be an eye-opener if managers are open-minded. .

My old boss in the police did 2 interviews when I left. The formal one for HR, then he closed his notebook and we went off the record. His eyes were huge in a few moments.... Nothing changed but at least he now knew and if I'd heard anything further down the line I'd have dobbed him in!

HR here,
I would suggest being honest but word it diplomatically. I.e 'I enjoyed my time with the company but found it slightly disappointing/ frustrating that xyz and explain the impact it had on your work or morale' and provide suggestions for changes in the future.
It would really help them in the future and if enough people say it, they will listen!

Is there anything you can express constructively so you feel you've had your say and shown integrity towards yourself, but you haven't burnt bridges? Maybe balance with some positives you've takenm

I declined my exit interview when I left a toxic workplace after 6y. I was burning up with resentment but I thought, why should I tell them what they could improve? They don't deserve my suggestions. I'd have had to make an effort to sugar coat it with tact, as pp are suggesting. Sod it. I declined the exit interview and blissfully enjoyed the freed up half hour when I would have been in it.

I wouldn't burn any bridges tbh, you never know... especially if you will still need them for a reference.

Anon review on Glassdoor?

The reasons for my leaving are complex - a toxic culture set by the people at the top. The turnover is high and the problems are well known and are sadly accepted as typical of the company. My specific complaint was shrugged off by my manager as "it's normal". The company has some very consistently poor reviews on Glassdoor with regards to poor management, under-resourcing and overstretching the employees and it's getting worse. The HR team is very young.

As it won't make a difference, I will decline the exit interview and hopefully find closure over time. Thanks all.