4 ms·
In your case, it was wasted effort to give honest feedback but that one case isn't enough evidence to say "never". There isn't a right and wrong answer here. S
by ssharp 14y ago
In your case, it was wasted effort to give honest feedback but that one case isn't enough evidence to say "never".
There isn't a right and wrong answer here. Sometimes it's best to give honest feedback, sometimes it's best to lie or avoid the question. It all depends on the person asking for feedback and the company's culture. It's never a good idea to burn bridges and if giving honest feedback cannot happen without burning a bridge, avoid it.
Additionally, there are probably opportunities to reshape your criticisms in such a manner to not offend. Some people are naturally good at this and others are naturally terrible at it. If you're not good at it, it's a fantastic skill to work on.
- praptak 14y agoThe time to give honest feedback is before you seriously consider quitting.
- michaelt 14y agoWe can see there's a potential downside to giving honest feedback - is there any upside, from the employee's perspective?
- akhilrex 14y agohi, i just commented here http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4932876 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4932876
- carbocation 14y agoThat outlines more upsides for the employer, not the employee, of giving candid feedback.
- ssharp 14y agoThe upside is maintaining a good and respectful relationship with your past employer and/or past boss. Just because you're leaving does not mean you don't want the company to succeed without you. If the person you're giving feedback to (assuming the feedback is given thoughtfully and respectfully) is going to be thankful and receptive to it and it has the potential to do the person and the company some good, there is value to you.
- jeltz 14y agoAgreed, but it is a high risk low reward thing so it is bad as a general advice.
- greenyoda 14y agoAnother upside is that your feedback might make things better for your ex co-workers, some of whom may be your friends. And if the company is afraid enough of losing more people, they might actually take your feedback seriously.
- ryguytilidie 14y agoI think the point is that you have nothing to gain and everything to lose by giving honest feedback. I assumed my last company would want to know my boss was sleeping with my teammate and using company funds inappropriately, but they just spent a bunch of money on consultants to cover it up. Yay!