What is the function of an exit interview?

The function of an exit interview is primarily to gather feedback from departing employees about their experiences and reasons for leaving. This feedback is crucial for organizations as it provides insights into the work environment, management practices, and organizational culture. Understanding the reasons behind an employee's decision to leave can help identify potential areas for improvement within the company, which can lead to higher employee satisfaction and retention in the future.

Conducting exit interviews allows companies to ask open-ended questions that encourage honesty and can reveal patterns or recurring issues that may not have been previously addressed. This information can be invaluable in shaping future policies, practices, and initiatives aimed at enhancing the overall employee experience.

In contrast, promoting the organization’s values, determining employee benefits, or resolving ongoing conflicts are not the primary purposes of an exit interview. While those aspects may occasionally be touched upon in conversation, they do not form the core objective of these interviews. The main goal remains focused on extracting candid feedback from the departing employees.