The Return of Boomerangs

In this episode of Take It Online, hosts Britain Wells and Nicole discuss the phenomenon of boomerang employees - workers who leave an organization and later return. They explore how having boomerang employees can be a positive indicator of strong company culture, with research showing that 28% of new hires in 2023 were actually returning employees. The hosts discuss both the advantages and challenges of rehiring former employees, including their familiarity with company culture and systems, but also potential issues like favoritism and the need to understand their true motivations for returning.

The discussion delves into important considerations for organizations, such as the trend of boomerang employees being rehired at higher management levels and their tendency to leave again after about a year. The hosts emphasize the importance of proper vetting, transparent conversations during the rehiring process, and maintaining regular check-ins to ensure both the returning employee and the organization benefit from the arrangement.