Recenty, the term “boomerang hires” has entered the job search world. It’s when you quit a job and then return to it. It could be after you leave and realise there are no other suitable jobs or after returning to a job after some time.
Mark Rothwell, CEO of Hiring Hub and recruitment expert, has shared his opinion on the question of whether it’s a good idea or not to hire an ex-employee:
Hiring a former employee can be beneficial in many ways. It is a good way to improve your recruitment strategy. This is especially true in environments with rapid growth where it’s important to get someone up to speed as quickly as possible. Saving time during onboarding is also a valuable asset for many companies. You can then get them into the thick of things with maximum efficiency.
There are some downsides to hiring a “boomerang”. You have to ask yourself why they left. You’re just covering up the cracks if you don’t address the root cause. You may want to meet with your HR department to review their feedback on their exit interview. This will ensure that there are no teething problems when they return to the company.
Over-reliance on boomerangs can also be dangerous, as it can create an echo room and stop new thinking. This is especially risky for those in leadership positions. Many businesses, especially in the creative industry, can benefit from new and fresh ideas that come from diverse experience. If you choose DEI (Diversity, equity, and inclusion), you run the risk of reinforcing current dynamics rather than expanding your talent pool. If you are serious about inclusion, then rehires should not be the default.
Boomerang hiring is not a quick fix to filling talent gaps. It’s just one of many options in a more comprehensive and well-planned strategy. You should only consider returning a boomerang hire if you feel their talent is valuable. If it’s just an issue of “ease”, you may want to look at new talent.
The original version of this article Quitting without a Return Ticket: An expert explains the pros, cons and pitfalls of “boomerang hiring” appeared first on Human Resources News.
