The stay interview is an interview between a manager and an employee that's designed to learn what keeps employees working for an organization and what aspects need improvement.

A stay interview is preferable because you ask current employees why they continue to work for your organization. At the exit interview, it’s too late to identify and solve the problems for the exiting employee.

The results of a stay interview give you knowledge about what the organization can improve now and how you can retain your remaining, valued employees. You also learn what your organization or department is doing well when employees identify what they like about their current position.

The stay interview is an opportunity to build trust with employees and to assess the degree of employee satisfaction and engagement that exists in an organization. Stay interviews are preferable to employee satisfaction surveys because they provide a two-way conversation and a chance to ask questions and follow up on ideas. They also deal with current employee happiness or concerns, not with how they felt last month or over the past quarter or year.

Meaningful questions may be asked such as:  

• What keeps you working here?
• How do you like to be recognized?
• How could we support you better?
• What would make your job more satisfying?
• Do you feel fully utilized in your current role?

The goal is to create an organization that retains its best. As employees see their organization respond to their concerns and needs, the stay interview process will positively impact employee morale.