Used to be if an employee left a company of their own volition, then asked to come back, the door was closed. Now, it appears that door may be starting to open.

As the economy continues to hum along and the talent search becomes more desperate, a survey from The Workforce Institute at Kronos and WorkplaceTrends.com indicates that these “boomerang” workers are losing the stigma they once took out the door with them.

“Nearly half of HR professionals claim their organization previously had a policy against rehiring former employees — even if the employee left in good standing — yet 76 percent say they are more accepting of hiring boomerang employees today than in the past,” the researchers reported. “Managers agree, as nearly two-thirds say they are now more accepting of boomerangs.”

Going back to a former employee still doesn’t happen often; 15 percent of employees surveyed said they had returned to work for a former employer. However, 40 percent said they would consider doing so. Apparently, the grass wasn’t as green as it looked.

The survey found that “46 percent of millennials would consider returning to a former employer, compared to 33 percent of Gen Xers and 29 percent of baby boomers. This could suggest that millennial employees might be leaving organizations too soon,” the study said.

The boomerang trend seems to be working both ways: Not only are HR people more open to rehiring someone, but departed employees are increasingly emboldened to challenge the rehiring stigma.

“In the past five years, 85 percent of HR professionals say they have received job applications from former employees, and 40 percent say their organization hired about half of those former employees who applied,” the study said.

How an employee left turns out to be the most important factor when an ex-employee is under consideration for a position. More than half (56 percent) of HR personnel, and 51 percent of managers, “say they give very high or high priority to job applicants who were former employees that left in good standing. Conversely, only 6 and 9 percent, respectively, say they give zero priority to former colleagues.”

Advantages to hiring a boomeranger are obvious: They know the drill, the culture, expectations and they don’t need much training.

“But while the overall acceptance of boomerang employees has changed direction, HR professionals and managers still have concerns. Nearly one-third of HR professionals and managers claim boomerang employees have a stigma hanging over their heads that they might leave again, and more than one-quarter say these employees may have the same baggage they originally left with,” the report stated.

Instant Insights /

Boomerangers starting to look good to former employers

More From HR Executive

Related Stories

Recommended For You