Kalıcılığı Güçlendiren Sessiz Araç: Kalış (Stay) Görüşmeleri photo

The Silent Tool for Strengthening Retention: Stay Interviews

🧠 “Exit interviews are often a belated effort. But what about stay interviews?”
“Employees want to be heard not after they leave, but while they’re still with us.”

📌 Today, employee engagement is about much more than payroll and benefits. Organizations are now expected not only to retain employees but also to continuously rebuild their sense of belonging. One of the most strategic tools that stands out in this effort is the Stay Interview.

💬 What Is a Stay Interview?

A stay interview is a proactive, one-on-one HR practice designed to understand an employee’s motivations for staying, their development expectations, and any early signs of potential disengagement or departure.

📌 It is not a performance review.
📌 It is not a survey.
📌 It is far more valuable than an exit interview—because it gathers insights in time.

🎯 What Do Stay Interviews Bring to the Organization?

✔️ Prevent silent resignations
✔️ Reveal internal engagement barriers
✔️ Provide managers with direct insights from the field
✔️ Offer a chance to reshape career paths together
✔️ Uncover invisible risks like lack of recognition, uncertainty, and burnout

⚠️ Are There Any Risks? Absolutely.

🛑 If feedback is collected but not acted upon, trust erodes quickly
🛑 If the interviewer lacks listening and empathy skills, employees shut down
🛑 If confused with performance evaluation, the purpose is lost

🗓️ When and How Should Stay Interviews Be Conducted?

📌 At least once a year
📌 On day 60–90 for new hires
📌 Every 6 months for critical roles
📌 In-person, structured yet conversational and warm

🎙️ Example question:
“What is the strongest reason you choose to stay here? Is there something we might be overlooking?”

🏁 Conclusion:

Stay interviews are not just an HR practice; they are a reflection of corporate awareness, emotional intelligence, and employee experience strategy.

👉 Don’t hesitate to ask the most important question before you lose your employees:
“Why are you staying?”