Question: Do I need to conduct exit interviews with employees who are separating from the company?
Answer: No, exit interviews are not required. They are tools that can help you gather information about the employee’s experience at your company when they may feel freer to be more honest and open. If you decide to conduct exit interviews, be sure to be consistent, asking all employees (at least the ones who you can safely sit down with) the same questions. Take careful notes.
Decide how you will use the information. If you know you will take no action, perhaps it is better to not conduct them at all as separating employees may tell you something you do not want to know.
Finally, while exit interviews are not required, termination letters are required in some states, even to employees who resign. Be sure these are given to separating employees in a timely manner.
