Many organisations invest heavily in recruitment, onboarding and training - yet some still struggle with high turnover. Traditional tools like exit interviews offer hindsight, but by the time you’re learning why someone’s leaving, it’s already too late.
That’s where stay interviews come in. Unlike exit interviews, which look backward, stay interviews are forward-looking. They’re a proactive way to understand what motivates your employees to stay - and what might tempt them to leave. When done right, they can be a powerful tool to boost engagement, uncover hidden issues, and build a culture of trust and transparency.
A stay interview is a structured, one-on-one conversation between a manager and an employee. The goal? To explore what keeps the employee engaged, what challenges they’re facing, and how the organisation can better support their growth and satisfaction.
Unlike performance reviews, which focus on evaluating past work, stay interviews are about listening and learning. They’re not about metrics or KPIs - they’re about understanding the human side of work. In basic terms, they are about what makes employees tick - and what ‘ticks them off’.
Stay interviews are gaining popularity for good reason. Here’s what they can help you achieve:
To get the most out of stay interviews, managers need to approach them with intention and care. Here’s how:
Choose a time when both you and the employee can be fully present. Avoid peak workload periods or stressful project deadlines. The goal is to create a calm, open environment.
Make it clear that this isn’t a performance review. It’s a candid conversation about the employee’s experience, aspirations, and what might make them consider leaving.
Use open-ended, thoughtful questions to spark meaningful dialogue. For example:
This is not the time to defend policies or explain decisions. Focus on understanding the employee’s perspective. Validate their feelings and thank them for their honesty.
The most important part of a stay interview is what happens afterward. Take action - no matter how small - to show that you’re listening. Even modest changes can have a big impact on morale and trust.
In a world where employee expectations are evolving rapidly, stay interviews offer a rare opportunity to stay ahead of the curve. They’re not a replacement for performance reviews or engagement surveys - they add depth and context to these tools.
Here’s why they’re essential:
Launching stay interviews doesn’t need to be complicated. Start small, keep it simple, and focus on listening. Here’s how to begin:
Even small steps can make a big impact when employees feel heard.
In a workplace culture that values transparency, trust, and growth, stay interviews are more than just a retention tactic - they’re a meaningful way to show your people that they matter. By making space for honest conversations and acting on what you learn, you are not only reducing turnover - you are also building a stronger, more connected organisation. Start small, stay consistent, and let your employees’ voices guide the way forward.
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For assistance with your workplace matters, Members of Ai Group can contact us or call our Workplace Advice Line on 1300 55 66 77. Members can also access our Sample Exit Interview Policy, Ten Insights into Exit Interview Questions and Exit Interview form.
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The HR Resource Centre’s new Attracting, Recruiting and Onboarding Talent topic has been designed by our HR and workplace relation’s experts to provide Ai Group Members with comprehensive resources, support and tools to help them to effectively manage the recruitment process.
This topic covers a wide range of essential aspects, including best practices for attracting top talent, innovative recruitment strategies, and effective onboarding processes.
Georgina is the Senior HR Content Editor – Publications at the Ai Group. With over 25 years of experience in human resources and leadership, she has demonstrated her expertise across a diverse range of industries, including financial services, tourism, travel, government, agriculture and HR advisory. She is also an accomplished writer and editor, known for creating high-quality, engaging content that educates and informs. Her writing includes a variety of formats, such as blogs, articles, policies, templates and guides.
