Have we gone 180 degrees from The Great Resignation to The Great Return?

Heard of boomerang employees? You might have hired one before, or you could even be one.

So, what are boomerang employees? Workers who decide to leave their company but later decide that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side and return to their former employer.

And according to LinkedIn News, 4.5% of all new hires on LinkedIn in 2021 were boomerang employees, up from 3.9% two years prior. So, what will 2023 bring?

Why are we telling you this? Because it’s worthwhile to stay up to date with the evolving world of work and the current trends.

But re-hiring boomerang employees are like any other employee trend; they obviously come with their own positives and negatives—but with this blog, we’re focusing solely on the benefits of this topic.

So, if you’re considering re-hiring, here are some benefits you can expect.

The benefits:

1.    Saves time on training

If you re-hire an employee who has worked for your company before, you can save time—and money—on training. Because boomerang employees are familiar with how your company operates and the systems used, they can easily transition back into the business.

2.    Could attract new talent

If your company makes it evident to job seekers that you have past employees wanting to return to their old stamping grounds, this could attract new talent—possibly putting your business in more demand.

3.    Insight into competitors

Employees—especially those who’ve remained in the same industry—will have insight into how your competitors work and will have gained more knowledge from other companies, being able to offer a fresh perspective and contribute new ideas to your business.

4.    Familiarity with the company culture and environment

Re-hiring a former employee also means having familiarity with your company, the environment, and the people. Depending on how long it’s been since they were employed at your business, they’ll understand how the team works.

5.    Better performance

With boomerang employees also comes the question: do they outperform new hires? The Academy of Management conducted a study of thousands of boomerang employees and new hires, with that particular study finding former employees perform better, likely because they have the advantage of being familiar with the business and its processes. However, this can differ from company to company, where a new hire may be better suited for a role.

REMEMBER: It’s best to keep in mind that not every employee is the same, so while some may transition seamlessly back into your company, others may not.

Every situation differs, which is why with returning employees, it’s absolutely essential to map out what’s different this time and to set clear expectations for both parties.

Outline the positives and negatives to make an informed decision and acknowledge that although these benefits are promising, only past employees that still suit your company, the role, and align with the values of your business will be a successful re-hire.

If you’re considering re-hiring former talent Humanised Group can help. With our software, systems, and experienced team of recruiters, we’re happy to form connections with your previous employees to help start a discussion. So, give us a call or send an email; we’re always open to having a chat.