Job market seeing a rise in “boomerang” employees

(WJAR) — The Great Resignation saw employees quitting in droves.

Now that the job market is tightening, career experts said some of those workers are trying to return to their old jobs.

They’re being dubbed “boomerang” employees.

A new study from employment agency Robert Half found that 48% of workers would consider returning to their former employer. That’s up 8% from 2023.

Robert Half Providence Branch Director Katelyn Aziz said many companies are on board because there are often less costs involved with retraining former employees.

“It’s been interesting the last couple of years, we went from the Great Resignation, because people were able to work 100% remote, they were able to get that higher compensation,” Aziz said. “But now with hiring initiatives being more strategic, slowing down, it’s definitely a strategy that we’re seeing employers looking at because of the onboarding, because of the tightness – you know what you’re getting, essentially, at the end of the day.”

Aziz said if you’re considering “boomeranging” to your old job and they’re bringing you in for an interview, leverage the new skills and experience you’ve gained since leaving.

“It’s really important to evaluate also why did you leave,” recommended Aziz. “Are they able to align and meet what you’re looking for now that you’re reengaging with them?”

She continued, “If work-life balance is really important and that wasn’t an option to work remote, is that something that they’re open to now?”

Aziz said it’s also important for boomerang employees to tread carefully with former coworkers.

It’s possible that job titles and responsibilities shifted during a boomerang employee’s initial departure, and there’s always a risk of bad blood when that boomerang employee returns.