End-of-Year Check-In: 9 Questions to Ask Your Employees Before It’s Too Late

As We Approach the End of the Year, Have I Taken the Time to Connect with My Employees?

As we head toward the end of the year, I've been reflecting on how I've been engaging with my team. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day hustle, but I realize that checking in with my employees before the year wraps up is crucial. Exit interviews are important, but by the time an employee leaves, it’s often too late to change their mind.

Instead, I’m focusing on stay interviews—a proactive way to understand my team’s needs, address concerns, and make sure they feel valued. By asking the right questions now, I can help my employees thrive and ensure I'm doing my part to retain top talent.

Here are 9 Key Questions I’m asking my employees during stay interviews:

1. How can I help you grow in your career?
2. What’s the biggest challenge your team is facing right now?
3. How can I make you feel more valued and supported in your role?
4. What part of your job do you enjoy the most?
5. Are you satisfied with the work environment here?
6. What would you change about your role if you could?
7. What motivates you to come to work each day?
8. How are you balancing your work and personal life?
9. What’s one thing I could do to support you better?

The goal of these questions isn’t just to gather feedback—it’s to foster trust and create a supportive environment where my team can thrive. These conversations help me understand what’s working, what’s not, and where I can step up as a leader.

By focusing on these stay interviews, I’m aiming to improve employee engagement, boost morale, and make sure my team feels heard and supported. It’s about investing in their growth and ensuring that they’re excited to continue contributing to the organization.

As I look ahead to the new year, I know that taking the time now to check in with my employees will pay off in the long run.

What questions do you think are essential to ask during stay interviews? I’d love to hear your thoughts on how we can strengthen employee engagement as we head in to 2024!As We Approach the End of the Year, Have I Taken the Time to Connect with My Employees?

As we head toward the end of the year, I've been reflecting on how effectively I’ve been engaging with my team. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day hustle, but I realize that checking in with my employees before the year wraps up is crucial. Exit interviews are important, but by the time an employee leaves, it’s often too late to change their mind.

Instead, I’m focusing on stay interviews—a proactive approach to understand my team’s needs, address concerns, and ensure they feel valued. By asking the right questions now, I can help my employees thrive and make sure I’m doing my part to retain top talent.

Here are 9 Key Questions I’m asking my employees during stay interviews:

1. How can I help you grow in your career?

2. What’s the biggest challenge your team is facing right now?

3. How can I make you feel more valued and supported in your role?

4. What part of your job do you enjoy the most?

5. Are you satisfied with the work environment here?

6. What would you change about your role if you could?

7. What motivates you to come to work each day?

8. How are you balancing your work and personal life?

9. What’s one thing I could do to support you better?

The goal of these questions isn’t just to gather feedback—it’s to foster trust and create a supportive environment where my team can thrive. These conversations help me understand what’s working, what’s not, and where I can step up as a leader.

Based on the feedback I receive, I plan to take specific actions to address concerns and enhance the support provided to my team. To maintain effective communication, I believe conducting stay interviews at least twice a year will help keep the dialogue open and ongoing.

Additionally, creating a comfortable environment for these conversations is essential. I aim to ensure that my employees feel safe and valued during these interviews, so I’ll choose an informal setting and encourage open and honest dialogue.

By focusing on these stay interviews, I’m aiming to improve employee engagement, boost morale, and make sure my team feels heard and supported. It’s about investing in their growth and ensuring they’re excited to continue contributing to the organization.

As I look ahead to the new year, I know that taking the time now to check in with my employees will pay off in the long run.

What questions do you think are essential to ask during stay interviews? I’d love to hear your thoughts on how we can strengthen employee engagement as we head into 2024!