B. The Exit Interview

Use the exit interview to your company's advantage. At the exit interview, supervisors should be prepared to answer reasonable questions and to spend time in discussion with the employee following announcement of the termination. It is also a good idea to conduct exit interviews with employees who resign from their jobs.

Properly conducted exit interviews serve several purposes. By questioning the employee, the employer can learn about the indi- vidual's dissatisfaction with company policies and procedures. If the individual is planning to sue, you may gain valuable information that can assist the company in building a proper defense or in taking corrective action before a suit is filed. You may also gain information about other employees that can be used to the company's benefit.