An honest 1-on-1 between two adults who trust each other would go along these lines:
- Hey, how's life? What do you think about this project?
- Well, it's shitty, to be honest. Didn't expect it to be this boring. And this on-call... I'm looking for a job that would pay 50% more for 50% less work.
- Yeah, that's the way it is in this company. The owner is a greedy crook, and the fish rots from the head, you know. We're told to lie to employees that there's no budget for pay rises, while the profits have doubled. It's all bs. But I can refer you to a few places that pay what you want. I'm thinking to leave too, btw.
I have no idea why someone downvoted you. Keeping cards close to your chest in an exit interview seems like a strategic move. Sure, you can sugar coat and hint at things that can be improved, but why spell that out? It might clear things up, but it might just make you look picky and high maintenance, closing the door on a future working relationship.
I feel you can be more honest -- while still being polite -- in an exit interview, since your alternatives are no longer hypothetical. If you have a competing offer on the table that pays 50% more, then you are no longer demanding, you are informative.
I haven’t ever had feedback about a company which I could both politely give and hadn’t already given directly to my manager (and other coworkers) before leaving the role. What does HR need to hear that’s both appropriate to say and not best told directly to the team?
- Hey, how's life? What do you think about this project?
- Well, it's shitty, to be honest. Didn't expect it to be this boring. And this on-call... I'm looking for a job that would pay 50% more for 50% less work.
- Yeah, that's the way it is in this company. The owner is a greedy crook, and the fish rots from the head, you know. We're told to lie to employees that there's no budget for pay rises, while the profits have doubled. It's all bs. But I can refer you to a few places that pay what you want. I'm thinking to leave too, btw.