Ask HR: Why use stay interviews?
The Role of Stay Interviews
Rather than waiting for someone to resign, stay interviews give you the chance to identify issues early, build trust, and improve retention. They don’t need to be formal or lengthy—just a genuine conversation focused on listening and learning.
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Why Use Stay Interviews?
- Retain key talent – They highlight small issues before they become big problems.
- Boost engagement – Employees feel heard, valued, and more connected to the business.
- Strengthen culture – You gain insights into what’s working and what needs attention.
- Improve leadership – They build stronger relationships between managers and their team.
What to Ask
Here are a few questions that work well in a stay interview:
- What do you enjoy most about your job?
- What would make your day-to-day work better?
- Do you feel recognised for your contributions?
- Is there anything that would tempt you to leave?
- What support or development opportunities would help you grow?
Getting Started
Pick a handful of employees—especially your high performers—and start with one simple, open conversation. Aim to do this every 6–12 months, and make sure you follow up on what you hear.
By making stay interviews part of your people strategy, you can take a more proactive and personal approach to retention, engagement, and culture-building—long before someone starts thinking about a move.
Use this cheat sheet to help you document the outcome!
How can Businessary help you?
Find out more about any of the above or reach out to Lana Rajsic for a no obligation discussion by booking a time here.