| Exit Interviews Are Helpful…But Stay Interviews Are Better |
| Most employers have an exit interview process in place. It’s a great opportunity to learn why an employee is leaving and gather feedback that may help improve the workplace. The challenge is that by the time you’re having that conversation, it’s usually too late to do anything about it. That’s why more employers are adding stay interviews to their employee retention strategy. A stay interview is simply a conversation with a current employee about what’s going well, what’s frustrating them, and what keeps them motivated to stay. It doesn’t need to be formal, and it shouldn’t feel like a performance review. The goal is to listen. Asking questions like, “What’s your favorite part of your job?” or “If you could change one thing about your work, what would it be?” can uncover concerns you may not have known existed—and give you the chance to address them before they turn into a resignation. Stay interviews won’t prevent every employee from leaving, but they can strengthen relationships, improve communication, and help managers spot patterns before they become bigger issues. Sometimes employees just want to know they’re being heard. Setting aside 20 or 30 minutes once or twice a year can provide valuable insight and show your team that their feedback matters. It’s a simple practice that can make a meaningful difference. For our clients, if you would like a sample stay interview form, please contact your HR Business Partner. |
