Think You Know Why Employees Are Leaving? Maybe. Maybe Not.
Aug 7, 2025 | By Nobscot Corporation
In HR, we pride ourselves on having our finger on the pulse of what's happening across the organization. And most of the time, we're right.
But not always.
Sometimes what feels like the problem... isn't the problem at all. That's where exit interview data becomes a critical tool. Not just to support what we already know, but also to challenge assumptions when needed.
Take this example from a large health insurance company:
They were experiencing high turnover in a particular department. Everyone was convinced they knew the reason. They were certain it was because of the manager. She had a reputation for being tough, and leadership assumed employees were leaving because of her.
The plan? Start coaching. Try to soften her management style. Get ahead of the issue.
But then they looked at the exit interviews.
Surprise! Not one departing employee blamed the manager. In fact, most had good things to say about her. Yes she was seen as tough but they also felt she was fair and they appreciated that.
The real reason people were leaving?
The company had quietly discontinued a training program that employees saw as critical to their career growth. Without it, they didn't see a future at the company. So they left.
Once that training was reinstated, the resignations stopped.
This is the real power of data.
Exit interviews not only validate what we know (which is important for getting senior leader buy-in) they also expose what we might have missed. When you compile results over time, filter by department or topic, and actually listen to what employees are telling you through the data, the truth rises to the surface.
That's what Nobscot Corporation's exit interview system is built for.
With a structured system, it's easy to:
- Identify unexpected drivers of turnover.
- Uncover issues that don't show up in engagement surveys.
- Give leaders the evidence they need to make smart decisions.
I bet surprises are hidden in your exit interviews too. Send me a DM, visit nobscot.com, or drop us a note at hello@nobscot.com. We'd be glad to show you how you can easily find them with a best-of-breed exit interview management system that easily integrates with your HRIS.
At Nobscot, we help companies retain top talent by identifying the root causes of turnover and providing actionable solutions. If you'd like to learn how data-driven insights can strengthen your retention strategy, contact us at hello@nobscot.com or sign up for a demo and discussion at: https://nobscot.com/library/demo_request.cfm
Nobscot, the leader in employee turnover management technology for over 20 years, helps companies retain their best and brightest.
