Is It A Good Idea To Hire Boomerang Employees?

Everyone likes to think that the grass is greener on the other side, but often the best situation is the one that you’ve already got. Unfortunately some people have to learn this the difficult way. These people are called boomerang employees.

Hand throwing a boomerang against a cloudy sky

Most people who quit a job, wipe their hands clean of their old employer and move on, but a growing trend of boomerang employees are leaving and coming back to work for the same company. What you may find surprising is that 76% of managers said they’re more accepting of hiring former employees (Yoh.com.)

16 Reasons Why People Quit Their Jobs

If you’re faced with the opportunity to hire a boomerang employee, should you do it? Just because a boomerang employee is a familiar face, it doesn’t mean that they should automatically be rehired. Every case deserves its own considerations. If the employee left on good terms in a professional manner, was an asset to your team, and kept in touch, they are certainly a good option.

Boomerang employees offer you a distinct advantage over the rest of the job candidates. Those benefits include:

  • Familiarity with your business
  • Less time needed for training
  • You know their personality & work ethic
  • Technology allowed you to stay in touch
  • Cost savings on training and onboarding
  • Fresh mindset and extra appreciation for your company
  • Easy to fit into company culture and rejoin team

As an HR pro, it’s a wise decision to consider hiring boomerang employees. Remember that they came back for a reason. As long as they were a top employee when they left and they left for valid reasons, it’s easy to see why a boomerang employee might be your top choice to fill your job openings. At the same time, it’s your duty to always treat a boomerang employee the same as any other candidate during the hiring process.

Why You Should Hire Job Hoppers

No one should automatically get hired just because they used to work there. It can certainly be a strong factor in your hiring decision, but it shouldn’t be the only factor. Definitely give any boomerang employee a close inspection before you hire them back to ensure they are looking out for your company’s best interests.

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