1. To improve future staff retention.

 

2. To provide a milestone during the often difficult notice period – it shows remaining employees that their employer is taking a mature approach and is prepared to listen to criticism.

 

3. To provide data to improve training needs analysis and training planning processes.

4. To develop the skills of their line manager and peers. 

 

5. To obtain ideas to improve the recruitment, selection and induction processes - use the interview to extract the ‘tipping point’ problem that prompted their departure as well as other ancillary factors.

 

6. To create an opportunity for the employee to leave on good terms, hopefully limiting the possibility that they will take vindictive actions such as the theft of customer information or even to encourage them to return in the future.

 

7. Risk mitigation – a positive exit interview reduces the likelihood of friends and family (some of whom are likely to work in the same field) are not put off joining you in the future due to feelings of divided loyalty.

 

8. A last ditch effort to retain a good employee – exit interviews are an opportunity to air grievances which can be cathartic and lead to people changing their minds. But do not use it as an opportunity to persuade them to stay as this would be disrespecting their decision to resign.

 

9. To reduce absenteeism by improving levels of employee engagement.

 

10. To show respect to the employee, even if it appears to be too late. Perhaps ask whether they wish for their comments to remain anonymous or whether they are happy for the information to be widely circulated.

 

 

Appraisals, dos and don'ts
Do...
Split the appraisal into one-third looking at the past
and two-thirds looking forward
Train all managers and ideally all appraisees...
Read full guide
  As the saying goes, behind every successful man,
there's a good woman (usually asking when he’s coming home for dinner). In modern times, as more women succeed at school and university, gender equality is becoming a reality and women are able to make choices
on how they work and live.
Read full guide