What is a boomerang employee?

Q:What is a boomerang employee?

A: A Boomerang Employee is defined as any employee who returns to work for a former employer.

There are several different types of boomerang employees:

  1. Those who left the company to further their careers. Employees often state that they left their job because they wanted to learn new skills and gain new experiences that were not possible in their previous role.
  2. Those who had a career itch they wanted to scratch. Maybe they dreamed of owning their own business or going back to school for a career change?
  3. Those who had a personal reason to leave. It is very common for individuals to leave their jobs for a period of time to help take care of their families, whether it’s their children or parents.
  4. Those who boomerang intentionally. These are most commonly seasonal workers, who plan on coming back to their same job the next year.

According to a study by WorkplaceTrends.com and The Workforce Institute at Kronos, Inc., in the past few years, there has been a change in the mindset over hiring boomerang employees. In fact, “76% of HR professionals say they are more accepting of hiring boomerang employees today than in the past.”

Employers like to hire people they know. If they can’t hire someone they know, then it’s usually the people who they know, know. Employee referrals have long been considered one of the best sources of talent, resulting in the highest ROI and lowest turnover. So why wouldn’t hiring managers do one better than employee referrals, and if possible, hire boomerang employees? These potential employees can be the best type of employees to hire.

First of all, they want to work for your company. They’ve left the organization and most likely realized that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. When employees return to a company, they are often much more productive and engaged than first time employees. And they tend to stay with the company longer than other hires. Boomerang employees are already familiar with the organization’s culture, so it’s easier to integrate themselves back into the flow of things. They usually can be up and running in their role in a shorter time frame than new hires can.

But the benefits of a boomerang employee don’t just lie with them. The benefits spill over to the rest of the workforce, causing other employees to view the company in a more positive light. By seeing former employees return, wanting to work there again, they realize that it must in fact be a pretty great place to work.

If you leave an organization and think you may like to return in a new role down the road, take these tips into consideration so that you too may be able to become a boomerang employee.

  1. Follow the company on LinkedIn and Facebook to stay updated on news and events.
  2. Keep in touch with your former boss and coworkers on a regular basis.
  3. Keep an eye on the career page and posted job openings.
  4. Don’t burn any bridges. It’s always best to leave a company on good terms. Many industries and job markets are small and close knit, and your reputation can follow you for years.

Whether or not you intend to be a boomerang employee, the recruiting team here at KRG can help you with your job search today.

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