15 JAN 2024
Coming back around: The rise of ‘boomerang’ workers
Ever lost a great hire? Well, as luck would have it, an increasing number of people are returning to their old employers. Meet “boomerang” workers.
Late last year, seven years after leaving government, former PM David Cameron became one of the most high-profile boomerang workers and he’s not alone in doing so.
In the UK, 72% of companies maintain an alumni network and 87% of those companies say it is a successful way of filling roles. 40% of past employees say they would consider returning to a company where they had previously worked, and 15% of workers have done so.
Could boomerangs be the key to navigating a tough labour market? Less than a decade ago, 50% of HR professionals said their companies had policies against rehiring former employees, even when those employees left on good terms. But boomerangs bring with them a lot of benefits that could prove immensely valuable to employers looking to fill jobs in a market where finding the right candidate can sometimes prove difficult.
Why hiring a boomerang worker could be the right thing for your college
Onboarding
Hiring and onboarding a new employee is far more costly and time-consuming than rehiring and retraining former employees who already have some familiarity with the company and its policies and procedures. A returning employee’s path to productivity is much shorter than it is for a new employee. Additionally, there may be a lighter lift for HR, managers or teams to integrate the rehired employee, since they are a known entity. This makes for a smoother, more seamless transition for everyone.
Expanded skill sets
Often, when an employee returns to a company, they are doing so having gained additional skills that can be applied to their position. Time spent working elsewhere in a similar role, related field, or even another discipline altogether, can help a worker gain valuable knowledge and perspective that can make them an even better, more well-rounded employee than they were previously. This can be of major benefit to the employer to which they are returning.
Good energy
While less tangible, it’s not to be overlooked that a returning employee has the potential to bring with them a renewed sense of energy and enthusiasm for the work. Certainly, we’ve all heard that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and for some, time away was just what was needed to reignite excitement and a sense of purpose for the job at hand. And this injection of fresh energy can buoy entire teams.
Research shows that boomerangs tend to stay longer at organisations they return to versus new hires, there’s a reason that they want to come back!
Why not to hire a boomerang
Of course, it’s not all positive. When it comes to rehiring boomerangs, there are some potential pitfalls as well. The biggest danger comes with not addressing any unresolved issues from their original tenure. Candid conversations during the interview process that openly acknowledge the issues or concerns that made them leave in the first place, and establish what both employee and management plan to do differently this time, will go a long way toward resolving any lingering issues.
Though not all employees may have originally departed under difficult circumstances, it’s important to clear the air if this was indeed the case.
There’s always the fear that a boomerang will leave again. But bear in mind, if an employee chooses to come back, there’s usually a very compelling reason for their return.
If your business has the opportunity to bring back a quality employee, congratulations! Job seekers have no shortage of options, so you must be doing something right. Now is the time to welcome that employee back and let them use their newly gained perspective and skills to show up even better than before.