Why is an exit interview worthwhile?

It’s often emotional for both management and an employee when a trusted and loyal staff member announces their departure.

While it might be a sad time given their long tenure and wealth of experience, this is still one more meeting to hold with them – an exit interview. Although it might seem like a HR management formality, a range of helpful information can come from one – key to ensuring that no other employees leave in the way same moving forward.

So why is an exit interview so important?

1) Identify why they are leaving

A departing worker should be able to privately provide reasons to why they are leaving. It could be in relation to the workload, the people or a general loss of interest in the industry.

Unless the reason is personal, business leaders should be able to gain some insight into where they can improve – thus reducing the risk that someone else will leave.

2) Retaining vital information

If an employee is resigning after a long period of time, the insight and knowledge that they have gained is invaluable. Talk the strengths of the business and identify their opinion on key projects or employees that are showing real potential.

3) Positive end note

Despite any professional differences, an exit interview is the perfect time to smooth over any problems. A departing employee is likely to talk about the business with their friends and family so ensure that the relationship ends on a positive note.

Many departing employees remain active and involved in the industry or may require a reference further down the line. This means an exit interview is more “so long for now”, rather than “goodbye forever”.

4) Outlining gardening leave

In many industries, employees are subject to highly confidential industry information. If they were to move on to another company, it’s critical they not share company-specific information.

As such, some workers take ‘gardening leave’ at the end of their employment. An exit interview can confirm how long this period is and what companies are exempt from these restrictions.