A stay interview is a proactive conversation between an employer and an employee, usually someone with strong performance or long tenure, designed to understand what motivates them to remain with the company. It’s essentially the counterpart to an exit interview, aiming to uncover what’s working rather than why someone is leaving.
These interviews help managers and HR teams gather honest feedback about job satisfaction, growth opportunities, workplace culture, and more, offering valuable insight to reduce turnover and improve employee engagement.
Why Are Stay Interviews Valuable?
Stay interviews serve a dual purpose. First, they open a channel for honest dialogue, giving employers a chance to hear directly from employees about their experiences and what keeps them engaged. Second, they provide insight into which aspects of the job and workplace are most meaningful to high-performing employees—and what could be improved.
Laura Mills, head of early career insights at Forage (formerly of Cognizant and Ernst & Young), puts it simply:
“Stay interviews help leadership understand how employees truly feel about the work environment, company culture, benefits, and more. They open up communication between staff and leadership.”
Armed with these insights, HR departments, and sometimes even marketing teams, can make informed decisions to refine employee experience, update recruitment messaging, and strengthen retention strategies.
Who Should Conduct a Stay Interview?
While Human Resources often initiates and sometimes conducts stay interviews, they’re most effective when led by someone the employee trusts—such as a direct manager or a neutral HR team member trained in employee engagement.
Mills notes, “For transparency and consistency, it’s best to have a small, well-trained team conduct stay interviews. This helps ensure patterns are recognized across departments and employees feel safe to speak freely.”
In some cases, companies may choose to bring in third-party professionals to lead the interviews, especially if neutrality or confidentiality is a concern.
Are Stay Interviews Right for Your Organization?
Stay interviews aren’t mandatory, but for employers looking to foster a stronger, more engaged workforce, they can be an incredibly effective tool. They offer a unique opportunity to identify areas of improvement before problems lead to resignations.
Beyond encourages companies of all sizes to consider integrating stay interviews into their employee engagement strategy. They can lead to more thoughtful leadership decisions, higher morale, and better retention over time.