If you have decided to try stay interviews, here are four "why-do-you-stay?" formats to consider using depending on your situation. These formats include:
- A one-on-one interview with their manager -- have their manager ask the targeted employee questions during a face-to-face interview. Getting managers to talk to their own employees is such a powerful tool, this format beats the other options hands down. Skype and telephone interviews are also acceptable as close alternatives.
- A one-on-one interview with HR -- in cases where the employee's manager may be reluctant or where they may themselves be part of the problem, an HR professional can be assigned to conduct the interview. Because they are experienced interviewers, in some cases, the results can actually be more accurate and insightful.
- Questionnaires/Surveys provided to current employees -- providing a sample of the currently targeted employees with an electronic survey or questionnaire that asks the same questions in item No. 1 above is an acceptable option. This approach may actually be required for remotely located or shift employees.
- A focus group covering a small group of employees -- in this format, you ask a group of targeted employees in the same job family why they stay and what might cause them to leave. Remember not to over-generalize with group wide stay or turnover factors.