The 'boomerang' employees returning after quitting

The 'boomerang' employees returning after quitting Getty Images More and more workers are going back to companies they left. “If a former employee left on a positive note, spent some time away, upskilled and gained greater experience elsewhere, then returning to a more senior role becomes a strong consideration,” says Thomas. “If a company focuses on only hiring good boomerangs, and they come back and perform well and quickly, that’s a big advantage – particularly in industries with a large learning curve that require much training and time.” Where the move can fall short Although re-hiring may generally seem a win-win for the employer and returning worker, the transition isn’t always seamless. “Although boomerang employees generally tend to be better performers, they’re also more likely to be fired than external hires – managers expect them to know the organisation right away,” says Keller. “In a world where many roles are highly technical with specific skillsets, there’s a limit to how many people you can consider – disregarding former employees may mean missing out on a huge opportunity.” Keller says the potential awkwardness of going back is fading away for both employer and employee.