Exit interviews explain who already left. Stay interviews explain what still works—and what is quietly breaking—for people who remain.
#Keep the script short
Ask: What makes you stay? What would make you consider leaving? What one change would improve your week? Stop there.
#Protect trust
Managers share themes upward; they do not forward transcripts to performance files. Break trust once and the program dies.
#Related guides
Sources
- Society for Human Resource Management. Stay Interviews
- Gallup. Employee Retention
This article is operational education only—not legal advice. Work with qualified counsel for compliance, compensation, and termination decisions in your jurisdiction.