What’s the Boomerang Employee Experience?

Boomerang employees are those who leave a company for a job elsewhere—and then return. It’s not just about salary or perks, though those are often part of the reason why people boomerang.

This form of career migration is an emerging trend in the workplace, especially because of the COVID pandemic. There are many reasons why someone might choose to return to their old employer, and it is argued that boomeranging may have positive effects on both employers and workers.

Here’s what you need to know about this trend:

Why do employers welcome them back?

Welcoming employees who choose to return may be incredibly vital in creating a stronger work culture. It sends out a message to employees that the company supports their career growth and desire to explore their options without necessarily burning any bridges. The best thing about it is that the old company would benefit from the enhanced capabilities of the boomerang employee.

For employers, what’s great about boomerang employees?

1. They already know their way around.

Boomerang employees already have an idea of the company culture and the ways of working, making the work transition much easier. Onboarding can become a smoother process.

2. They’re stronger talents now compared to when they left

Boomerang employees have benefitted from exposure to other roles and processes. They may be able to bring back valuable experience and insight from it. Promotion and a higher salary could be on the table for desirable boomerang employees.

3. They can become more loyal employees in the long term

They’ve already seen what’s out there and no longer have to wonder if “the grass is greener” on the other side. As a result, they may be more appreciative of their old company and can even boost their colleagues’ opinion of the company. The company’s talent community will definitely benefit from the returning employees’ experiences outside.

As an employee, how do you know if it’s worth returning to your former company?

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to going the boomerang route, but consider the following in making your decision:

1. Assess if you left the company on good terms and have a good reputation with them.
2. If you’ve gained new or valuable experience to enrich your future role in your old company, then you can be a great asset to your former bosses and colleagues.
3. If you feel you connect strongly with your old company’s culture and support system, you’re more likely to stay for good.

What are the advantages of returning?

TTEC is no stranger to boomerang employees. A number of their alumni end up coming back home after a stint of working with other employers.

Licensed healthcare agent Team Lead Candice Daigneault underscores the importance of career growth in TTEC. “What brought me back to TTEC was the support system. I also appreciate the ability to learn and grow in different roles and to expand my knowledge base, and the fact that I do have a lot of opportunities to advance my career.” This includes customer service job opportunities.

TTEC is a company that truly highlights the importance of internal growth—including promotions, whether across departments or role-based. It’s the main reason why TTEC’s talent community continues to be stellar.

TTEC also offers employees around 11,000 free courses, certifications, and learning modules for upskilling.

TTEC also boasts of advanced mentorship programs, such as their BUILD program. This is part of TTEC's Leadership Development strategy of developing operational and organizational bench strength. The program includes a systematic process of identifying, assessing, developing, and deploying high-potential candidates to fill key leadership positions.

Indeed, TTEC’s boomerang employees are a powerful testament to the company’s fantastic work culture and overall professional ecosystem.

In fact, when asked what the deciding factor was to return to TTEC, Senior Specialist Kim Alcantara from the TA Marketing and Communications team shares: “Working for a company, it’s not always about the money, the benefits, but it’s always about the company culture, the amazing people you work with and all the exciting opportunities for you to grow professionally.”

To summarize, the phenomenon of boomerang employees is here to stay. Ever-changing priorities due to an unpredictable future have normalized career migration. Exploring options as a worker is part of upskilling your career—whether it’s wanting a better salary, promotion, work environment, or even just a nearer location. And if returning to a former employer checks off all these boxes, then it’s an option that should be considered seriously.

But don’t rush into anything! Instead, make sure that whatever decision you make about returning will benefit everyone involved--including yourself.