Why You Should Never Do An Exit Interview When You Are Over 50

HR is not your friend. They are there for the benefit of the company.

They didn't care what I thought when they were paying me.Why now.

I did an exit interview at a company when I was 25 years old. I was fired for following direct instructions given by my supervisor. The instructions were incorrect and following them slowed down production. The interview went like this: HR stated that I could talk about any reasons around why I was leaving the job, except there was one rule, I was not to mention any complaint about my supervisor. I responded as follows, "So I am not allowed to mention anything my supervisor did that contributes to why I am being let go?" HR response, "Yes that is correct, you may now begin." I then stated, "Okay, I understand. Do you have my final paycheck for me? Got my final pay and left the building.

The funny part is that now that I'm over 50, I'm much more inclined to tell them exactly what I think.

These companies have zero issue firing you on the spot but call it unprofessional to not give them 2 weeks notice.

HR is not there to help. They are there to mitigate risk.

Always be on your guard when dealing with HR. The number one purpose of HR is to protect the company.

The company shouldn't even know you are leaving until your chair is empty.

26yr male here, this advice is applicable at any age. Trust me, they don’t care about what you think needs to be changed and you absolutely do not say where you are going until after you already start the new job for a few weeks. I didn’t update my LinkedIn until a full month after transferring from my last job, you cannot trust anyone in the corporate world.

The one thing you said that is the MOST correct was: "If they didn't care to ask you while you were employed there, why do they need to hear it now." HR is NOT your friend! What they are actually fishing for is for you to rat out your fellow employees who still need to work there.

You should never do an exit interview. Period. The company already knows what their issues are, they just don't care.

I used to be a Recruiter: he’s right. Just resign, offer to give two weeks, andthat’s it. Do not say where you’re going.

Lawyer Here: Unless its in your contract, no interview. I'd read the contract provision carefully. Tell them to submit the "questions" in writing. Get advice about how to respond. Chances are, the company is "ass protecting" and trying to set up defenses if you file a lawsuit for wrongful termination, harassment [breach of contract,] or other work place prohibited conduct.

This is what happens when you romanticize "work". Work is where you go to earn money hopefully politely and efficiently. It's not a place to get a life, friends, a surrogate parent, etc. No one will take care of you better than you. A company you "love" will dump you just like that when it's bottom line demands. So never marry your job because all divorces are messy!!!

Best advice I got was “tell them that you are going to follow the Grateful Dead for a year “ 😊

One nice thing about being over 50: You're old enough to remember a song that Johnny Paycheck sang in the 1970's.

Why waste your time on an exit interview? You're not on their payroll anymore.

Don't talk to the police... don't talk to HR... It will always end badly for you.

I always thought that an exit interview was to confirm that all the obligations were met - you got your last paycheck, your PTO was paid off, equipment and keys returned, you know when your healthcare stops and what will happen to your 401K, etc. Now I know :)

Because when you hit 50 you tend to be more upfront, honest and to the point. No employer really wants to hear that.