A boomerang employee is a former employee who returns to work for a company they previously left. The name comes from the idea of the employee leaving and then, like a boomerang, coming back to the same place.
This practice has become more common as companies recognize the value of rehiring individuals who already understand the company culture and have proven their skills.
Why Companies Rehire Former Employees
Rehiring a boomerang employee can be a strategic move for a business due to several key advantages:
- Faster Onboarding and Time to Productivity: Boomerang employees already know the company’s systems, processes, and culture. This significantly reduces the time and cost associated with training a new hire. They can hit the ground running and become productive much more quickly.
- Proven Performance: A company already has a track record of the employee’s work ethic and performance, reducing the risk of a bad hire. This provides a level of certainty that a new candidate cannot.
- New Skills and Perspectives: Employees who leave to work for other companies often return with new skills, fresh perspectives, and valuable industry insights. They can bring back new ideas and best practices they learned elsewhere, which can be a significant benefit to the organization.
- Improved Morale and Retention: A boomerang employee’s decision to return can be a powerful endorsement of the company, boosting morale among existing staff. Additionally, boomerangs often return with a renewed appreciation for the company, leading to a higher retention rate than a typical new hire.
Potential Challenges and How to Manage Them
While there are many benefits, rehiring a former employee isn’t without its risks:
- Addressing Past Issues: It’s essential to understand why the employee left in the first place. If they left due to unresolved issues with a manager or the company culture, those problems could resurface, leading to a second departure.
- Potential for Resentment: Existing employees may feel resentful if they believe the boomerang employee is being given preferential treatment, such as a higher salary or a promotion, for simply returning.
- Lack of Fresh Perspective: Relying too heavily on boomerangs can limit the infusion of new ideas and innovative thinking that comes from hiring people with completely different backgrounds and experiences.
To successfully hire a boomerang employee, a company must maintain positive relationships with departing staff, conduct thorough exit interviews, and have a clear re-onboarding process. It’s crucial to have open conversations with the returning employee about why they left and what’s changed in their absence to ensure a smooth and successful transition.