Exit Interview?

[Callie]

I'm getting ready to leave my current job at the end of next week. I work for an owner of a small company. He just called and said he wanted to do an exit interview, so I can give him feedback. I've been working on how I'm going to present things, but it still is making me super anxious as I don't do well with negative feedback (giving or receiving).

I plan on mentioning the following things:
-Should properly pay employees as employees instead of independent contractors. Maybe state in the sense the job will be more attractive because it'll be 10% less taxes they have to pay? This is a big reason I'm leaving, as he kept stringing me along and promising to make me one, but never did.
-Taking on too much work. We often can't install customer projects for over 2 months because he just keeps bringing in more and more jobs when we can't handle our current workload.
-Split up tasks better....he's having the person in my position keep track of almost the entire business, but he hadn't made that clear at all when I was hired. So I want to mention that he needs to do that in the future.

I do plan to keep some stuff to myself. He is constantly trash talking the other employees to myself. Makes me wonder what he's said about me. Literally not a single employee has their head on straight according to him.

 

[sonnyjane]

I'm getting ready to leave my current job at the end of next week. I work for an owner of a small company. He just called and said he wanted to do an exit interview, so I can give him feedback. I've been working on how I'm going to present things, but it still is making me super anxious as I don't do well with negative feedback (giving or receiving).

I plan on mentioning the following things:
-Should properly pay employees as employees instead of independent contractors. Maybe state in the sense the job will be more attractive because it'll be 10% less taxes they have to pay? This is a big reason I'm leaving, as he kept stringing me along and promising to make me one, but never did.
-Taking on too much work. We often can't install customer projects for over 2 months because he just keeps bringing in more and more jobs when we can't handle our current workload.
-Split up tasks better....he's having the person in my position keep track of almost the entire business, but he hadn't made that clear at all when I was hired. So I want to mention that he needs to do that in the future.

I do plan to keep some stuff to myself. He is constantly trash talking the other employees to myself. Makes me wonder what he's said about me. Literally not a single employee has their head on straight according to him.

I have given three exit interviews and LOVED each one. It was basically my way of letting them know just how incredibly messed up they were (tactfully of course). I also was very sure to have another job lined up first

 

[gwynne]

I'm getting ready to leave my current job at the end of next week. I work for an owner of a small company. He just called and said he wanted to do an exit interview, so I can give him feedback. I've been working on how I'm going to present things, but it still is making me super anxious as I don't do well with negative feedback (giving or receiving).

I plan on mentioning the following things:
-Should properly pay employees as employees instead of independent contractors. Maybe state in the sense the job will be more attractive because it'll be 10% less taxes they have to pay? This is a big reason I'm leaving, as he kept stringing me along and promising to make me one, but never did.
-Taking on too much work. We often can't install customer projects for over 2 months because he just keeps bringing in more and more jobs when we can't handle our current workload.
-Split up tasks better....he's having the person in my position keep track of almost the entire business, but he hadn't made that clear at all when I was hired. So I want to mention that he needs to do that in the future.

I do plan to keep some stuff to myself. He is constantly trash talking the other employees to myself. Makes me wonder what he's said about me. Literally not a single employee has their head on straight according to him.

May I ask something? Based on your last few sentences why would he value your input?
I'd go with the 'ole teacher trick. Say something positive, say something that could easily be improved, say something positive again. Then close with a few appreciative sentences, thanks for the opportunity stuff. And then leave on friendly terms.

 

[Julylady]

Callie, I would tread very carefully here. First of all, in my experience, exit interviews are never done with your supervisor. I work in a very large organization and have often been asked to conduct the exit interview with someone from another part of the company. The interviewer would never be your boss or even someone you work with regularly. Also remember that its a small world. You might be in a position in a few months or years where you want to use this person as a contact. Don't burn any bridges.

If this were me.....I would try to find a reason why I did not have time to do this interview.

 

[Callie]

Well, the company is basically my boss who owns it, myself, and then a bunch of guys who do the actual construction work. I don't know of anyway out of doing it. I honestly don't wanna waste much time of this, because he's honestly treated everyone that works for him like dirt. I might just mention the pay thing and that is about all. Whats the worst he can do? Fire me a day or two early?

He started having me pull deck permits, and I did it for 3 months and finally told him I needed more help with him, and that they gave me anxiety (They involve a TON of driving around to random places, and are super complicated). He basically said I would never be successful in anything, let alone be able to have a family. This is what made me want to find a new job ASAP. I wasn't expecting not to do any permits, but get some help with them at least. Do I mention this?
I do have a new job lined up.

 

[sonnyjane]

Callie, I would tread very carefully here. First of all, in my experience, exit interviews are never done with your supervisor. I work in a very large organization and have often been asked to conduct the exit interview with someone from another part of the company. The interviewer would never be your boss or even someone you work with regularly. Also remember that its a small world. You might be in a position in a few months or years where you want to use this person as a contact. Don't burn any bridges.

If this were me.....I would try to find a reason why I did not have time to do this interview.

This is true. Mine were always with an HR person, and therefore supposed to be confidential (although I went into it knowing that what I said would certainly get back to my higher-ups). In each of the three times I left, I was leaving to go into a completely different field, so I knew I wouldn't be needing references from anyone there.

 

[King Schultz]

I'm getting ready to leave my current job at the end of next week. I work for an owner of a small company. He just called and said he wanted to do an exit interview, so I can give him feedback. I've been working on how I'm going to present things, but it still is making me super anxious as I don't do well with negative feedback (giving or receiving).

I plan on mentioning the following things:
-Should properly pay employees as employees instead of independent contractors. Maybe state in the sense the job will be more attractive because it'll be 10% less taxes they have to pay? This is a big reason I'm leaving, as he kept stringing me along and promising to make me one, but never did.
-Taking on too much work. We often can't install customer projects for over 2 months because he just keeps bringing in more and more jobs when we can't handle our current workload.
-Split up tasks better....he's having the person in my position keep track of almost the entire business, but he hadn't made that clear at all when I was hired. So I want to mention that he needs to do that in the future.

I do plan to keep some stuff to myself. He is constantly trash talking the other employees to myself. Makes me wonder what he's said about me. Literally not a single employee has their head on straight according to him.

Personally, I wouldn't do it.

What do you have to gain from it?

What can he do if you decline?

Just tell him you're uncomfortable doing it so you're not.


If he gives you any lip, walk out.

The sooner you're away from this scammer, the better.

 

[Shanti]

What's the worst he can do? Fire me a day or two early?...I do have a new job lined up.

But you can't predict the future. The new company you're working for could lay you off within a year for economic reasons (this happened to me once- crushing to find myself on the job hunt again so soon after establishing myself in a new job, but at least I had strong references lined up), or the company itself could unexpectedly fold, leaving you with a need for more references. (The most selective employers often like to check a few jobs back, not just at the last job.)

And as another poster said, it's a small world. You never know who knows who in the business world, or the social world. Your current boss seems to resent & "trash talk" anyone who disagrees with him, so I definitely wouldn't be critical towards him during the exit interview. Given his personality, he isn't going to actually make improvements based on your feedback, anyway. I think you know that. Getting the anger off your chest won't be worth the negative effect that alienating him could possibly have on your career in the future.

I would keep it positive and tactful, thanking him for the opportunity and learning the job provided, and if pressed for any "improvement areas", maybe say that you're looking forward to being an official employee instead of a contractor, even though you "understand that it wasn't yet possible on this job". But I wouldn't even consider addressing his personality, gossip, work allocation, or any of the other factors that have driven you out the door. He won't be receptive to any of it.

 

[smiths02]

I think mentioning the split up tasks and too much work makes you sound like you couldn't handle it (rather than that the job was unrealistic for one person to do). I'd be hesitant to mention those.

If your new job pays you as an employee instead of independent contractor, I think that is valid to say. I wouldn't say "properly pay employees" but that you prefer a salary, benefits, etc.

I might also say something about no room for movement in that position. You said there was this guy and you in the office..and then guys who do construction.

 

[JimMIA]

May I ask something? Based on your last few sentences why would he value your input?
I'd go with the 'ole teacher trick. Say something positive, say something that could easily be improved, say something positive again. Then close with a few appreciative sentences, thanks for the opportunity stuff. And then leave on friendly terms.

I would probably do this. You could decline, of course, but if you might need his recommendation later, I would try to leave on good terms. You have nothing to gain by him harboring a grudge for something you said going out the door.

 

[Christine]

I would do the interview and would say the following things:

1. Working as an independent contractor did not work out for YOU. You found that the pay was not enough based on what you had to pay in yourself to taxes.
2. The responsibilities of "keeping track of the business" (and you can find a way to word this better) were not what you expected when you took the job and that, while a minor detail in the scheme of things, you would recommend being more clear to the next person in the job so they are fully aware of the workload.

I wouldn't say much more about anything else. I don't think it's your place to tell him how to run his company and you would be doing that by saying:

1. That he should turn everyone into employees versus independent contractors (some people actually like being independent and there's nothing wrong with it--it just didn't work for you so keep that about YOU)
2. I would not mention the part about taking on too much work unless he specifically asks you what you think about how he runs his company.

The exit interview is really about what things about the company affected your decision to leave. I would leave criticisms about how he pays his overall workforce and how he schedules work alone.

What this really amounts to is that you feel underpaid for the work you were doing and I think that's the message you need to send. Nicely.

Also agree with others that this has never been done where I work by the direct boss. But I realize this is a small business. Not sure why he's going through the "formality" of the exit interview when he can just outright ask why you're leaving.

 

[Callie]

Thanks guys! I am appreciating all of the advice.
It could sound like I couldn't handle it. Honestly, I could do a large amount of the stuff I was hired to do. Its just when I start having to be in charge of 20 different tasks, it gets complicated.

 

[wvjules]

But you can't predict the future. The new company you're working for could lay you off within a year for economic reasons (this happened to me once- crushing to find myself on the job hunt again so soon after establishing myself in a new job, but at least I had strong references lined up), or the company itself could unexpectedly fold, leaving you with a need for more references. (The most selective employers often like to check a few jobs back, not just at the last job.)

And as another poster said, it's a small world. You never know who knows who in the business world, or the social world. Your current boss seems to resent & "trash talk" anyone who disagrees with him, so I definitely wouldn't be critical towards him during the exit interview. Given his personality, he isn't going to actually make improvements based on your feedback, anyway. I think you know that. Getting the anger off your chest won't be worth the negative effect that alienating him could possibly have on your career in the future.

I would keep it positive and tactful, thanking him for the opportunity and learning the job provided, and if pressed for any "improvement areas", maybe say that you're looking forward to being an official employee instead of a contractor, even though you "understand that it wasn't yet possible on this job". But I wouldn't even consider addressing his personality, gossip, work allocation, or any of the other factors that have driven you out the door. He won't be receptive to any of it.

This, this and, this! You never know who he knows, when you might need him as a reference, etc. Never burn bridges.

Thanks guys! I am appreciating all of the advice.
It could sound like I couldn't handle it. Honestly, I could do a large amount of the stuff I was hired to do. Its just when I start having to be in charge of 20 different tasks, it gets complicated.

Complication is a way of life. Get used to it. There will be lots of times when you will be asked to do more and more. Take it as a compliment that your work was valued and he thought you could handle it.

 

[gotomu212]

I really like conducting exit interviews when people leave (at my large company the supervising conducts them with HR sitting in because we ask technical in the weeds questions to improve processes). It really is a great opportunity for you to hear what can be improved on from someone who isn't nervous about the consequences (and in some cases we had great suggestions that people didn't make while in their current job because it would have meant different work for them at the time).

Anyway if your boss is asking for one he legitametely wants your input. You don't ask someone to do an exit interview if you don't want their feedback. Your 3 points sound very professional and normal constructive criticism on things he might not realize the person doing the work has to deal with.

Keep the language pleasant and respectful things like "you might not realize what goes into this" or "I think it would improve efficiency if". We also have a lot of people that come in with a written out list to walk through and that helps if they're uncomfortable giving feedback. If he seems defensive when you're talking just cut it short and say "great well thanks for soliciting my feedback" nicely and you're done.

Edited to add an exit interview isn't an opportunity to get everything off your chest and tell the bosses what you really think. People who do that do burn bridges. Feedback on day to day operations and improvements is totally different.

 

[bcla]

This is true. Mine were always with an HR person, and therefore supposed to be confidential (although I went into it knowing that what I said would certainly get back to my higher-ups). In each of the three times I left, I was leaving to go into a completely different field, so I knew I wouldn't be needing references from anyone there.

I think it really depends on the purpose of the exit interview. I've never been through an exit interview except at the involuntary end of a job, and usually it was to go over specific things with someone in HR although I'd been there with my manager in the room once. It was the usually stuff about non-disparagement, confidentiality of certain work product, how to collect severance, filing for unemployment, and what both sides could or couldn't say about each other. Some employers have a strict policy that they can't discuss anything (reasons for the separation, job performance, etc.) about an employee to anyone outside the company other than dates of employment and job title, and that's usually discussed in an exit interview. I also would typically get my last paycheck in a live check. One exit interview was for a contract job, and it was basically over the phone about how everything was going to go down and restrictions on working at the company that I was contracted to. That stuff (non-compete agreement) is unenforceable in California, but I just listened and didn't say anything. I actually had an offer for another contract at that employer, and the contracting agency was clear that they knew the non-compete agreement couldn't be enforced and that they would back me up.

I've left a job before by just telling my manager that I had another offer and was planning on taking it, and he walked me out within an hour without a formal exit interview with HR. We didn't really discuss much other than I was pressured to accept the job (no extension on my decision time) and that my manager had an idea that I wanted to do something else but took a chance that I would stay. I've also been part of a large, unexpected (the director of our group site was laid off and had no idea) layoff where they basically couldn't really go through exit interviews because we were to be out of the building by the end of the day. HR was there to do a Q&A session, but there weren't any personal exit interviews. However, it was pretty civil. There was no security called in to look over what happened, and many of us just went out for drinks before coming back to collect our personal effects. We also technically still had jobs with a 60 day notice and could theoretically be called back. My manager was still employed and asked me back one day to clean up some loose ends.

 

[Callie]

Yeah, he told me he wants input on how he can improve on running his business, but I really don't think I should be giving that. I'll mention the pay thing and keep it at that. He know's I'm leaving for a better paying job.

 

[smiths02]

Thanks guys! I am appreciating all of the advice.
It could sound like I couldn't handle it. Honestly, I could do a large amount of the stuff I was hired to do. Its just when I start having to be in charge of 20 different tasks, it gets complicated.

I didn't think you couldn't handle it. I took it as more that there was more work than humanly possible and/or you didn't know what you signed up for.

Given what you said about the boss, though, I'm guessing his (defense) reaction would be that you just couldn't handle it...then he would always have that impression.

I also agree with PP to think of some positive things...even if trivial (like maybe your schedule was flexible since you were contract, I don't know)

I also agree with PP to just say that YOU wanted to be paid as an employee and your new job is offering that

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

I'd politely decline on the exit interview request.

 

[sonnyjane]

I think it really depends on the purpose of the exit interview.

One of the companies had incredibly high turnover so I was asked by HR before I left if I could come in and discuss "why that might be" haha. MY PLEASURE!

 

[King Schultz]

If the boss is paying hourly employees as 'independent contractors' he's scamming the IRS and will get caught sooner than later.

You owe him nothing; decline the exit interview unless it's something you want to do.