Exit Interviews - Supervisor was Horrible for 9 years - spill the beans? (credit, unemployment)

[North Beach Person]

Now I would say "it depends". If you're leaving directly because of this supervisor, and you were somewhat of a rainmaker for the company, it might be ok to at least hint at the real reason.

We had a guy retire this past summer, directly because of the non-support he got from administration and the fact he was always being second guessed and his grades were being changed. His exit interview with system HR must have been interesting, if the back to school blowback his (my) department received is any indication. We were basically told that any criticism or questioning would be interpreted as disloyalty and would be dealt with accordingly. I'm having some fun right now.

[skeet09]

I would not bring up the issue any further. Just do the exit interview without talking about it and go on to your next opportunity. Places that have folks like these end up going out of business and what not. Karma will find itself eventually, it happened to me. I left a place where the CEO herself was awful and a year later, the place folded.
Good luck on your employment opportunity!

[homelicious]

It depends on what the circumstances were.

You're not really burning any bridges because it sounds like your old boss of 9 years really wouldn't have been a reference anyway. Whether you say something or not, it sounds like your boss would not say the nicest things anyway. So when the bridge is badly damaged to the point of breaking, it's best to burn it so the bridge doesn't fall apart when the next person walks across it.

[Dane_in_LA]

HR is not your friend. HR is particularly not your friend when you're leaving. Answer as truthfully as you care to when asked, but there's nothing to be gained by volunteering anything. Make a clean escape and move on.

(There are exceptions - I did frequent another board where a poster boasted of making the HR person cry during his exit interview. If you can pull of something that epic, go for it. Post details.)

[kodaka]

Originally Posted by homelicious

It depends on what the circumstances were.

You're not really burning any bridges because it sounds like your old boss of 9 years really wouldn't have been a reference anyway. Whether you say something or not, it sounds like your boss would not say the nicest things anyway. So when the bridge is badly damaged to the point of breaking, it's best to burn it so the bridge doesn't fall apart when the next person walks across it.

OP may not be burning any bridge that they know of. We don't always know what connections will be useful to us in the future. We don't always know what connections other people will choose to use without our knowledge.

[cedew]

I would spill the beans, no question about it. I'd say that I did not enjoy working for xxxxxx, and make sure to only cite specific examples why. A supervisor/manager has one main job, give you the tools you need to do yours, site examples where that wasn't the case. If this is really just a personality conflict, or a bunch of "I would have done it this way", then keep it to yourself.

[yellowsnow]

You now have nothing to gain by doing this.

You may be back there looking for a job again some day.

Keep your documentation private and just let it go.

[Yzette]

The time to have brought this stuff up came and went many years ago.

You've said your piece, the other managers know how you feel, don't waste any more of your time or energy on that crappy boss.

[Snort]

The question is: would it change anything? If that's a possibility then it only helps the workplace and someone else's job situation. Then, go for it!
If not, talk to a close friend or a therapist and let your emotions out there in a safer place.

[dnvrsoul]

Agreed do not do anything to burn your bridge-just be thankful you left for a better company-trust me no matter what the person says it CAN be used against you