Boomerang employees are often a source of discussion in HR circles, especially if you are considering rehiring someone that used to work for you. The dilemma that companies face is working out whether it is better to hire someone you already know or if you are better off opting for someone brand new. We’ve shared some insights into hiring boomerang employees to help you work out the best way to proceed for your needs – take a look now.
The Pros of Hiring a Boomerang Employee
When faced with the decision of whether to hire an ex-employee back into your business, there are several positive benefits you can look forward to, including:
- Easier Orientation – spending time getting new hires up to speed on the systems and processes can be time-consuming and costly. A boomerang employee will already have some knowledge of how things work and will be able to hit the ground running.
- Shared Values & Goals – each business has its own set of values and goals and re-hiring a former employee will help to ensure that you are working with people who share the same values and are willing to work hard for the company in a way that you need.
- Loyal Employees – if someone wants to return to your employment after leaving then you can look forward to greater loyalty and commitment as they know what it means to work for you and what you can offer.
- Good Team Building – if the person has recently left and is returning, it can help to motivate teams that worked with the individual in question and remind them that your company is a great place to be.
The Cons of Hiring a Boomerang Employee
As with all pros, there are also some negative points that may stop you from moving forward with hiring a boomerang employee, including:
- Lack of Diversity – if you fall into a cycle of rehiring everyone that leaves, you won’t be able to achieve your diversity goals and your teams may struggle to be as innovative as possible.
- HR Issues – if the person left under a cloud or was part of bad mouthing the business after they left, rehiring them could lead to unhappiness within your current team.
- Staffing Complaints – if you are seen to be rehiring someone and giving them perks to return that others aren’t getting, you may find yourself at the receiving end of staff complaints.
- Vicious Cycle – it’s important to remember that the person left your employment for a reason and there is a risk that they will return and then leave all over again, creating a negative vicious cycle that impacts everyone in the company.
To Hire or Not to Hire?
With so many pros and cons, you may be left feeling confused about whether to hire someone that used to work for you. The good news is that with some simple planning, you can make that decision easier in the future. Start by keeping lines of communication open and be willing to hear feedback on how people are feeling and why they may be thinking about leaving.
If someone decides to leave, make sure you complete an exit interview to get a clear idea of what it is that has prompted their resignation. If they then decide that they want to return to your employment, you will have lots of previous information to use to help you make the best decision for everyone involved.
Ensuring You Have a Wide Range of Candidates
Whether you are for or against boomerang employees, one thing is certain – the best way to get the right person for the job is to cast a wide net and secure many options. At GeneCoda®, we work hard to help you source the best candidates for your positions and can support you as you decide whether to rehire someone or go for a brand-new hire instead. Reach out to our team and let us help you plan a recruitment strategy that works!