Feds: Exit survey/interview

[Anonymous]

Would you be or were you truthful in your exit survey if the true reason of your leaving your position was a horrible direct supervisor?

[Anonymous]

It's a personal practice of mine to never do an exit interview. No exceptions. We're done. If you wanted my opinion you could have had it when I was still on the payroll.

[Anonymous]

“There are moments when the urge to fight back feels impossible to resist.
When every insult, every cold look, begs for revenge.
But I stop.
I look deeper — not just at what they did, but at who they are.
The tiredness in their eyes.
The weight they carry.
The silent battles they’ve already lost.
And I realize — life has hit them hard enough.
Not every fight needs another fighter.
Some just need someone strong enough to walk away.
So no, I won’t strike back.
Not because I’m weak —
But because I’m strong enough to protect my peace.
In the end, we don’t give what people deserve.
We give what we carry inside.
And I choose to carry light.”
Sometimes, silence speaks louder than revenge.”

[Anonymous]

Don’t burn bridges! Just say the new job better meets your needs for a bunch of reasons. Trashing a former supervisor could backfire down the road.

[Anonymous]

I probably would say something, but it would depend on the exact circumstances. If I were the only one who this manager had a bad relationship with, I wouldn't say anything. If my manager has been terrible to the entire team/most of the team, I would give other reasons for leaving but add something along the lines of "morale has dropped since Larlo took over," or "I find that Larlo isn't eliciting the best work from the team."

[Anonymous]

I was honest, because I left due to a specific issue with my supervisor and the person doing the exist interview knew about that and was involved. However, the exit interviewer was more focused on CYA and very defensive so it was pointless. I will say I sandwiched that feedback between a lot of glowing things about my experience (which were truthful).

OP it might be more useful to find someone you trust but has some influence and share it with them. I did this as well, it was cathartic and I felt heard.

That said the supervisor is still there while many people have left the team. Bad management at the top does not care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would you be or were you truthful in your exit survey if the true reason of your leaving your position was a horrible direct supervisor?

Need specific reason. If verifiable and based on illegal or improper behavior, then you have to decide whether or not you want to report this and, possibly, burn a bridge.

If due simply to a personality conflict with your supervisor, then maybe you should have attempted to transfer rather than to resign.

Yes, be truthful, but being truthful can include a response such as " I prefer not to discuss the specifics beyond my resignation letter."

[Anonymous]

No. They are not going to do anything with that information.

[Anonymous]

Don't give any information. Say nothing and leave.

[Anonymous]

This is OP. Thanks all! Please know that your replies were very helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a personal practice of mine to never do an exit interview. No exceptions. We're done. If you wanted my opinion you could have had it when I was still on the payroll.

100 percent this

[Anonymous]

Some of my colleagues are really kind folks. I am thankful that I got to know them and work with them.
I already forgave my supervisor for their nonsense. Interesting that this ability grows as you get older; the process of forgiving is faster and you don’t even hold any grudges while your young self definitely would… Glad I can move on to something that really inspires me.
Life is short. Don’t spend it writing up about bad situation. Move on as gracefully as you possibly can. In the end, it is kindness that will save the world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a personal practice of mine to never do an exit interview. No exceptions. We're done. If you wanted my opinion you could have had it when I was still on the payroll.

This ^

[Anonymous]

Thanks. Move on quietly approach works. Save your energy for better things.

[Anonymous]

The federal government does not care about employees and their experience right now. Don't bother wasting your time.