Defining Boomerang Employees and Strategies for Their Support

A new modern workplace trend that has emerged recently is — boomerang employees. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, the phenomenon refers to individuals who rejoin their former employer after leaving the company.

It’s a good indicator of the evolving employer-employee relationships upheld by remote work and flexible shifts, but also by career paths, which are not so linear anymore.

The rise of AI; in particular, has challenged this linearity, making former employees redefine their career paths and emerge with novel expertise.

The Boomerang Effect

Boomerang employees have emerged in recent years and have changed the perception of many a business. Namely, it was common for employers to consider employee retention as an insurmountable challenge.

However, the value that boomerang employees bring to the table challenges that very notion, notably due to the concept of the cyclical nature of career.

Due to these factors, taking care of boomerang employees has become a big topic. Since the major factors contributing to the trend are the dynamic job market and the rise of the gig economy and project-based work, boomerang employees often tend to learn from a business and bring back their experiences to their former workplace.

Benefits of Boomerang Employees

As mentioned above, the first notable benefit of boomerang employees is that they bring forth new knowledge and expertise. To top it off, returning employees are already familiar with the company's culture and processes, which makes onboarding considerably less challenging (if indeed needed at all). They integrate fast and seamlessly and already know the ropes of company processes.

Since many companies are struggling with building a positive work culture, boomerang employees are a perfect solution. Having been part of that culture previously, they can easily contribute to its continuity and even help influence new hires.

Finally, they bring in fresh perspectives and practices, which can boost innovation within a company with ease. The very fact that they’ve decided to rejoin their former company guarantees their engagement, as they obviously had a positive experience during their initial tenure.

Circular Career Trajectories

The recognition of boomerang employees demonstrates a shift in the way both employers and employees perceive career trajectories. Instead of a linear career development path, employees are encouraged to pursue personal development and explore diverse industries. The focus is not on climbing higher but on building a fulfilling career.

The approach that used to be unthinkable is now more than welcome in many companies. In a way, this a natural response to the evolving nature of work, which has encouraged people to seek a better work-life balance and meaningful roles.

Employers have come to universally value varied skill sets and diverse perspectives typically embodied in diversity initiatives.

Embracing Boomerang Employees

However, to be able to keep boomerang employees happily engaged in the long run, organizations need to rethink their career advancement plans. A flexible approach that incorporates remote work models, a better work-life balance, and atypical career progression plans are crucial in this regard.

Since there’s no saying when a former employee may choose to return, it is also critical to foster a positive workplace culture. It’s only natural that only people who leave on positive terms may choose to return one day.

Businesses that encourage professional development, especially outside the organization, are more likely to benefit from boomerang employees than others. Typically, this is embodied in the form of either continual education, or industry conferences, or collaboration with other companies.

Finally, keeping in touch can help the cause. Think in terms of periodic check-ins or invitations to company events.

Are Boomerang Employees Here to Stay?

The rise of boomerang employees is a curious phenomenon that is likely to resume. If present trends of digitalization and flexible work models persist, that is.

It’s also fair to note that the bias surrounding returning employees is still out there. The trend is relatively new, after all.

However, former employees who keep in touch with their colleagues and attend company events from time to time stand a good chance of being recognized and welcomed back with open arms.

The key is to foster a workforce that values personal growth and encourages individuals to explore different opportunities. Circular career advancement paths are also a solid boost.

Overall, while there is still much to explore in this department, all prerequisites are already set in place. Businesses only need to embrace them and expand on them to start enjoying all the benefits curious minds can bestow upon them.