Why Former Employees Might Not Want to Work for You Again

Chances are your former job would love to have you back. However, the feeling likely isn’t mutual.

According to a survey conducted by Accountemps, a specialized temp agency for accounting, finance, and bookkeeping professionals, 98 percent of HR managers said they’d re-hire a former employee who left the company on good terms. However, a whopping 52 percent of workers said that they wouldn’t accept an offer from a previous boss.

Erstwhile employees cited several reasons for this answer, ranging from the practical (the company closed down) to the personal (they didn’t like their job duties). Nevertheless, nearly one quarter of respondents said they were unlikely to return to their old offices because they disliked management. Meanwhile, 14 percent didn’t click with the corporate culture, and 5 percent said they weren’t paid enough.

Since “boomerang employees” have proven they're reliable—plus, they’re already trained—it behooves bosses to lure them back. To keep the door open to this possibility, managers should always make sure to part ways with departing staffers in a professional manner. Conduct an exit interview, and let them know they’re welcome to reapply for a position anytime. After the worker has left, use their assessments to make improvements to the workplace.

Also, it never hurts to stay in touch with top talent. After all, they might need a job again in the future, or they could learn useful skills in their new endeavors that make them the perfect fit for another department or role in your office.

Check out the full survey results below—and use them to brainstorm ways to create the kind of work environment any employee would love to boomerang back to if the right circumstances arise.