Exit Interview
A conversation with a departing employee to understand their reasons for leaving.
Definition
An exit interview is a structured conversation or survey conducted with an employee who is voluntarily leaving the organization, aimed at gathering honest feedback about their reasons for departure, their experience as an employee, and their suggestions for improvement. The insights from exit interviews are a valuable source of data for identifying patterns in attrition, addressing workplace issues, and improving retention strategies. Data should be analyzed in aggregate to identify trends rather than acting on individual cases alone.
Example
“Analysis of six months of exit interview data revealed that 60% of departing employees cited lack of career progression as the primary reason for leaving, prompting a review of the internal promotion process.”
Usage Examples
- 1
“The team applied exit interview best practices to improve their employee relations outcomes significantly.”
- 2
“Understanding exit interview is essential for anyone building a career in HR & People.”
When & How to Use
Use 'Exit Interview' when working in Employee Relations contexts where an exit interview is a structured conversation or survey conducted with an employee who is voluntarily leaving the organization, aimed at gathering honest feedback about their reasons for departure, their experience as an employee, and their suggestions for improvement.
- ▸Applying exit interview principles during a employee relations project or initiative
- ▸Explaining exit interview to a junior team member or stakeholder unfamiliar with HR & People
- ▸Evaluating options or proposals using exit interview as a decision-making criterion
Etymology & Origin
The term 'Exit Interview' derives from professional usage and entered HR & People professional usage as the field formalised in the 20th century.
History & Evolution
The concept of exit interview has evolved alongside HR & People. Early practitioners relied on informal methods; structured approaches emerged with the professionalisation of employee relations in the mid-20th century. Today, exit interview is a standard part of HR & People practice globally.
Synonyms
- exit survey
- separation interview
- leaver interview
- farewell interview
Antonyms / Opposites
- entry interview
- onboarding interview