Jane Watson, Head of our prism HR Consultancy services says that increasing numbers of companies are turning to former staff to fill roles as they grapple with tackling recruitment issues and skills shortages amid challenging market. Jane, who works with businesses across the country, says there is more evidence that so-called boomerang employees are returning to places they have previously worked and it’s a trend that could become a more influential factor of the jobs market with some businesses struggling to find the right people to fill vacancies.
Jane said: “I am seeing this happen already, with former employees returning to former workplaces - and I am anticipating more of it.
“It remains an incredibly challenging recruitment market with employers often struggling to find the skills they need when filling roles. We know that both lifestyle decisions made during the Covid-19 lockdowns and Brexit have had a significant impact. “It’s natural, given the challenges, that employers use all of their contacts and turn to those they have previously employed - people who have the skills they are looking for. I have been advising a number of businesses in relation to this across various sectors.”
Internationally, bigger companies have established alumni networks especially for rehires.
Jane says the positives of rehires, whether in the same or a more senior role than previously, include the fact that you secure experienced staff and with reduced recruitment and training costs - an important factor as companies manage rising bills elsewhere.
Challenges include that they may be likely to leave again and that there could be resentment among other staff who had remained if the person returns to a more senior, better-paid, post.
Jane added: “Rehires should be viewed as largely positive and can be especially useful when looking for specific skills in specialist sectors. It can also say a lot for a workplace that someone wants to return.”
“It’s also not unusual for people to boomerang to the post that they left. Some people simply want their old job back as they realise the grass is not greener wherever they have moved on to.”
"The days of leavers not even considering returning to a workplace are over. Attitudes and the jobs market have evolved. Peoples’ views have changed.”
This article appeared in The Scotsman on 20 September 2022.
