How honest should I be in my exit interview?
 

Awful job for a very unethical company, everyone wants to quit, managers too. Gave my two weeks notice and I was the only one to have done so and not get walked out the door. Now they want an exit interview tomorrow, which I'm also the first to get. Let them have it or continue the lying in the hopes of staying in their good graces and not putting any of my co-workers (whom I love) under suspicion of feeling the same way (they all do)?

Personally I have never been one to sugar coat anything, I call it like I see it so in my opinion let it fly, just let your co-workers know so they can duck and cover as needed

Rick,

The fact they did not 'walk you out the door' tells me you are trusted enough to be straight with them.

Be straight with them and tell them how the work environment affected you.
If they want to know about others, they will properly have to ask them.

Best of luck.
Les

Be straight with them, otherwise they may not know that they have issues. Your input may be the catalyst for change.

I would be honest to a point but don't burn any bridges. Take your emotion and feelings out of what you say in your exit interview. From what I remember you work in sales so use your skills to say what needs to be said without leaving a Shermanesque trail in your wake.

They seem to like you so I would try and leave on good terms.

They might appreciate and honest assessment of the reasons everyone is quitting. Nothing personal or vindictive, just honest and businesslike.

This.

If you go off into a psychotic tirade, they will simply shut off the listening mode and go into "ignore the jerk" or "somebody please call security" mode.

State your criticisms in a calm and factual manner, with some form of discussion to back up the criticism. Stay on topics that will help them be a better employer for the co-workers that you leave behind.

Don't waste time telling them stuff that no employer cares about, like "you only provide the cheap coffee and I deserve better".

^^ This exactly. Clarify the issues in a calm and businesslike manner. No scorched earth policy. If they want to move their business forward they will pay attention and appreciate your input.

A little more background, then let's hear what you all have to say.

Pretty sure this company is well aware that they're totally screwing everyone and everyone here is looking for a job, including the mgrs. Company owner is the most dishonest person I have ever met in business and I'm not exagerrating. He will definitely be on the exit interview phone call and not announce himself. He does this a lot, even with new hire interviews, drops in and says he's a consultant or something. There was a round of layoffs in July and a few of the people were let go the day before they would have been eligible to file for unemployment. No one got a dime of severence.

The entire situation reminds me of how it was in E. European communist dicatorships when the leader made a speech. He knew it was BS, the people knew it was BS. He knew they knew it was BS and they knew he knew they knew it was BS. And so it continued. That's how it is here. Everyone lies to leadership (which is on the East Coast). When we're all on a conference call in a conference room, we all make faces and wink when someone tells a big whopper because those on the other end can't see us. Basically, the whole operation is one big George Costanza's life - a lie.

Now that you know this, why would this seemingly nice HR woman want to give me an exit interview when no one else has gotten one and they have to know how crooked a company they are?

I still say speak the truth, spare no feelings and regardless of what Cashflyer says, You gotta have good coffee

Not the same situation as you but I had the interview a few months ago. I was honest and gave the HR gal suggestions on what might help the next manager. I didn't bi#$% about anything, just stated areas where the district level management could improve.

It sounds like this may be a horrible company to work for but are you willing to be the catalyst for change?

Ok... let's look at this from a different angle.

What's in it for you? What do you gain by participating in the exit interview?
Is there a severance package hanging in the balance? Is there a Letter of Recommendation that you need? Etc. If there is nothing to gain, then I would say you are under no obligation to participate. Politely decline and move on.

Or participate and just do like you say everyone has been doing all along - sit there and blow smoke up their asses, then go get some good coffee.

That begs the question of whether they will take my comments to heart. Yes, I will remain calm, thoroughly professional, factual and unemotional. I would love to make this a better place to work for my co-workers, who are all close friends. Really. But ... "when you dance with the devil, the devil don't change."

Unethical says it all.......... giving them notice says a ton about you!

Do you think they don't know they are unethical ? If not tell them, if otherwise why waste your breath ? Nobody you may want to work with in the future would ever hold it against you for being ethical and honest..

You can:

1. Be honest but restrained
2. Be honest & burn the bridge
3. Be honest & nuke the valley

If there is any way that this could reflect negatively on your future then just mumble about growth opportunities. Other than that, go for option 1.

Ian

There are two lines of questioning in an exit interview:

1. Why you left (better job, more opportunity, better location, promotion, career development, etc.)?

2. What made you look (bad management, no promotion, poor benefits, low pay, crappy coworkers, etc.)?

The first is a BS line designed to appease corporate/owners and help them feel they did nothing wrong. The second gets to the real core issues. The trends in the workforce are that the emerging skilled workforce won't put up with crap and have the skills and the value to not have to. Typically, as you get older you have less tolerance for poor management/leadership and even less for a company whose values are out of alignment with your own. With business networking sites like LinkedIn and business information sites like Glassdoor, these morons are not getting away with the behavior of the past. Of course you have to have the skills and capabilities that provide you these opportunities.

We live in a society. I think you have a moral and social responsibility to expose these idiots for what they are (in a very unemotional and professional way) to help your coworkers and any potential future employees (I would also post on Glassdoor).

This is coming from the head of HR.

Be the change you want to see in the world...I'd give them all you've got, in direct but reserved fashion. Mentioning names of those who gave you problems is a must, say nothing about those you like, nothing.

I was in your similar (company/employee description given) situation in my last role. I had an epic exit interview 12/4/13, hung up the phone shaking and thinking to myself...I went too hard, I burned the bridge...guess that's why they make airplanes :)

Got a call from the CEO later that day thanking me for the candid feedback (no he's not supposed to know what I said!?) apparently something resonated. 3 months later my ex-boss got fired for things I mentioned during my interview. Sexist tendencies, fudging sales figures, iron-fist management, and not actually selling with his team.

I found this out as I remained friends with my old teammates and we still talk, the people I mentioned nothing about. ;)

He's still unemployed, couldn't have happened to a nicer guy :D

(Although my bleeding heart feels for his 5 kids and miserable wife)

Totally agree with M Reid.

Here's the Glassdoor from my last company, unfortunately, everything you can read about them is spot on and has actually brought their "disposable salesman" employment model to a grinding halt.

I lasted 2 years, on a team of 17...saw at least 15 people. Damn cool product, it's a shame as it was a fun role.

ScentAir Technologies Reviews | Glassdoor

Airplanes fly over burnt bridges :)SmileWavy

Problem here is that my co-workers in Phoenix are the best. Manager is the best. He knows how badly we've all been jerked around. He's powerless to stop it. He's off these next two weeks, we're all pretty sure he has another job secured and I am almost certain he'll quit the day he gets back because he saw that they wouldn't let me use my last two vacation days and won't pay me for them. The end result there is that, from now on, no one will give two weeks notice. They'll burn up whatever vacation days they have left, either quit by email or come back and quit after lunch in person. Boss's boss got demoted last week, effective Jan. 2nd. So the only person above him is the owner of the company back east. And I know he'll secretly be on the exit interview call. So should I mention to the HR lady that her boss, who's probably sitting next to her on another phone, is the problem? Seems like it'd feel good, but accomplish nothing.

I had the same thing happen with the VP of a small company I worked for a while back. During the interview I mentioned that the environment was bad - innovation and trying new things were discouraged because all things were shot down (or worse) unless they came from a particular person who was not named. In their quest for glory they had to assure that no one would come up with anything better than this person's ideas and that was part of how they did it, and why the department was stagnating.

She was gone about a month later - I'm sure it became obvious once they realized there was a problem.

That's says "skip it" - they really don't care what you think.

Edit: well, maybe the HR woman is interested in what you have to say; but clearly upper management doesn't care.

Hell yea! I'm crazy, but if I had a hunch like you do, I'd call them on that ischt too
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/ar15.gif

I'm not in your situation, everyone has a different personality and different comfort levels...but I'd say, whaddaya got to lose at this point?

My old boss got canned, I was able to keep a friendship with a certain co-worker who commended my honesty and has proven to be a keystone in helping me move my career forward.

Rick- Now you got me all riled up ;)

As I learned in the business philosophy thread last week, I will remain the calmest person in the room. On the off chance my feedback will be taken to heart, I really hope to make things better for my co-workers, who are so awesome. If they are just going through the motions, at least the CEO will know that we're not all idiots and are onto his shenanigans. I really think he has lawsuits and labor complaints coming his way. I wouldn't work for this place again for anything. However, I am a contractor and the "mother ship" is a pretty awesome company I would consider coming to work for in the future. I am sure the mother ship will eventually sever ties with "dinghy," but it could be another year or two.

Everything you do is subject to review, forever. Your ONLY obligation is to work for the best interests of your personal franchise.........

The hell with being right OR righteous....... Move on with your life and take care of YOUR responsibilities.

I understand this but the world doesn't move forward with such attitude.

My case: If I had said nothing, my old boss would have remained, firing women after they wouldn't have relations with him etc etc. Now, he's been dealt with and those that remain are much happier. I did my part, makes me sleep better at night.

Just MHO

I'd participate in the exit interview but
- Don't say anything that could remotely be used against you
- Don't say anything that would burn bridges, even though it doesn't sound like there is anything there to want a bridge back to, but if nothing else the HR lady could end up somewhere else
- Don't throw your co-workers or managers under buses
- If they start asking you questions about confidentiality, client solicitation, etc, have a stock non-answer prepared ("I always have and will continue to meet my obligations") and terminate the interview.

The question asked before was "what is in it for you?". IMHO nothing - an exit interview is a formality. It is not the time to cause a big stink on your way out, or even criticize or suggest. It will not make a difference to the company and potentially only puts you in a compromised position. Take the high road ... That's my two cents ...

G

This ^^^ is very important. If you do not already have a non-compete, non-solicitation, or non-disclosure agreement in place…DO NOT SIGN ONE IN THE EXIT INTERVIEW. This is a common approach by companies when a good sales person leaves.

In reality, the non-compete is probably only enforceable if you are "fair and equitably compensated" for signing one (varies by state). If you plan to leave this industry, you might negotiate a financial exit package for signing one. Otherwise, like jyl said, if they ask, be strong and end the meeting.

I agree with others, if you are the first to be asked for an exit interview, then they trust and respect your insights. It's likely human resources already knows there is a problem and is just beginning to address it. I bet the HR manager is in the meeting. Then again, they could simply be concerned you'll take business and bully you into a non-compete. One to the other.

some times its selfserving to give em a little piece of your mind, so to speak.


I agree its a bad Idea, but.....................feels good man

in my experience the problem with #1 is staying at #1

are you sure you won't move to #3 if someone lights the touchpaper?

If the owner is dishonest and knows it, and will be on the call, there is no upside to even having the interview. I'd politely decline and move on to the next job. A fish stinks from the head down...

This is what makes it so difficult. I told a few co-workers I have an exit interview for tomorrow and they were all stunned. One pumped his fists in the air and said, "Light em up!"

The mgt. here in Phoenix is great, but they're powerless to do anything. And they're all looking for jobs or about to give notice. I have to wonder why the HR lady back east wants to have this talk tomorrow if the CEO will be on the call. He knows he's FOS and everything he's ever told us turned out to be the opposite of what happened. He really tells it like it ain't.

But I grudgingly have to confess that perhaps no one here has been honest with anyone from day one, the mendacious culture has reached critical mass and no one (who still needs the paycheck) can bring themselves to utter a word of truth without fear of getting canned. So maybe there's a sudden interest in hearing it from someone who's known as a straight shooter.

BTW, when I gave my boss my notice, he whispered to me, "You're doing the right thing at exactly the right time." Later on he was mouthing the words to me, "Text me your personal email address." Everyone around here whispers and looks around before saying anything.

Is the HR lady hot? She may make really good coffee in the morning.

That would be the only reason to do the interview. Nothing else good can come from it if the company is a rotten to the core as you say it is.

They are firing people today. Three just got walked out, one of whom is a close buddy. Last week we were told all is well and no one needs to worry about their jobs.

The exit interview is moot, Rick, just like your buddies...

I think calling in sick tomorrow becomes an option given the latest happenings.

Sounds like the ol' SHTF about now. :eek:

Zero, absolutely zero value for exit interview in this case.

If it was a well run organization that was really looking for ways to prevent smart guys like you from leaving, then an exit interview can be useful and can even build future possibilities...long shot, but possible.

In this case, in the absolute strongest terms, do not participate in an exit interview in any way. Your participation give far more opportunities for malfeasance for them than any possible benefit to you or your soon to be former colleagues.

Dennis

^^^^ this. They just changed the equation with the firings.

Ian