A Guide to an Effective Stay Interview

👍🏼👎🏼 A stay interview is a conversation with an employee with the goal of discovering what they like about their role, and the organization, and what they would like to change.

✅ Consider the following tips to make the most of your stay interviews:

✔ Include all employees.

✔ Incorporate the stay interview into the performance review process and hold managers accountable for conducting the interviews.

✔ Training managers on how to conduct effective interviews.

✔ Send employees the questions ahead of time so they can prepare. This builds trust with employees – there should be no surprises during this process!

✔ Prepare a summary report of the responses and share the highlights back with employees.

✔ Make a commitment to fixing some of the issues and communicate what you plan to do in the process.

✔ Thank employees for providing constructive feedback and celebrate the wins!

✔ Ask for feedback on the process itself, improve and REPEAT!

👇🏼 Here are some samples questions to consider asking during a stay interview:

1. What part of your job motivates you to come to work every day?
2. What do you like the most about working here? What do you like the least?
3. What do you like the most about your job?  What do you like the least?
4. What was your highest/lowest point at work this past year?
5. Are your responsibilities/goals clear?
6. Do you feel like there is a clear vision for the organization?
7. What could you do to improve yourself in your current role?
8. How could I/your supervisor help you be more successful in your job?
9. Do you receive the right amount of coaching or feedback?
10. Do you feel appreciated? Provide examples.
11. Do you receive the right amount of recognition?  Provide examples.
12. What could I/your supervisor do to be a more effective leader?
13. Do you feel like you belong to the team?  Do you have a best friend at work?
14. Describe the workplace culture here?
15. Are you happy with your pay and benefits?
16. Is there another role in the organization that interests you?
17. What could be done to make our company a better place to work?
18. Have you ever considered leaving?  Why?
19. Are you proud to work here?  Would you recommend working here to friends?
20. How would you rate your overall experience at work this past year? 

On a scale of 1 (Worst Ever) to 10 (Best Ever).

⚠ In some situations, having a third-party consultant conduct the stay interviews is the most effective strategy.

🚑 HR911: Let our team of HR professionals help you develop and launch a successful stay interview process in your organization! 

Beverly Somers

Human Resource Consultant – SMART HR