Exit Interview Survey
A structured, honest exit interview that captures the real reasons people leave.
11 questions · 2 pages · about 5 minutes to answer · fully editable after you start
People soften the truth in face-to-face exit interviews; a written survey completed before the final conversation gets closer to the real story. This template separates the main reason for leaving from the other reasons that played a part, because the headline reason is often the last straw rather than the cause. It then asks how satisfied the person was with pay, workload, their manager, progression, recognition, balance and their team, and whether the basics held: the tools to do the job, a role that matched the job advert, fair treatment and being able to raise concerns safely.
It also asks whether they talked to anyone before deciding – the answer tells you whether your managers get a chance to fix things – what the next role offers, the one change that would have kept them, and whether they would come back. Aggregate a year of exits and you have a retention plan written by the people who tested it. Keep responses confidential to HR and publish only the patterns.
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Page 1 of 2
About your time here
Thank you for your time with us. This survey takes about 5 minutes. It is anonymous: your name, email address and IP address are not recorded with your answers.
Q1.How long did you work here?
- Less than 6 months
- 6 months to under 1 year
- 1 year to under 3 years
- 3 to 5 years
- More than 5 years
Q2.What is the main reason you are leaving?*
- Better pay or benefits elsewhere
- Lack of growth or promotion
- My manager
- Workload or burnout
- Company direction or culture
- Flexibility or location
- Personal or family reasons
- Retirement
- Other…
Q3.Which other reasons, if any, played a part? Tick all that apply.
- Pay or benefits
- Growth or promotion
- My manager
- Workload or burnout
- Company direction or culture
- Flexibility or location
- Personal or family reasons
- No other reasons
Q4.How satisfied were you with each of the following?
| Very dissatisfied | Dissatisfied | Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied | Satisfied | Very satisfied | Not applicable | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your pay and benefits | ||||||
| Your workload | ||||||
| Your relationship with your manager | ||||||
| Opportunities to learn and progress | ||||||
| Recognition for your work | ||||||
| Work-life balance | ||||||
| The team you worked in |
Q5.How much do you agree with each statement?
| Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither agree nor disagree | Agree | Strongly agree | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I had the tools and resources to do my job well | |||||
| My role turned out to be what I was told when I was hired | |||||
| I was treated fairly | |||||
| I could raise concerns without fear of negative consequences |
Page 2 of 2
Your decision
Q6.Before you decided to leave, did you talk to anyone here about it?
- Yes, and they tried to help
- Yes, but nothing changed
- No
- Prefer not to say
Q7.If you are moving to a new role, what does it offer that this one did not?
Q8.What one change would have made you stay?
Q9.How likely are you to recommend working here to a friend?
Q10.Would you consider working here again in the future?
- Yes
- Maybe
- No
Q11.Is there anything else you would like us to know?
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