In a labour market that appears to be slowing down, some of the best candidates are those you already know: your former employees. Boomerang employees are becoming increasingly valuable in recruiting strategies. The recruiting team at Olinio has firsthand experience with the effectiveness of boomerang hiring when done strategically.
If you’re wondering whether rehiring former employees who quit could benefit your organisation, you’re not the only one. According to recent ADP data, returning employees made up 35% of all new hires in March 2025, the highest rate recorded for that month since 2018.
What Are Boomerang Employees?
Boomerang employees are former workers who return to their previous employer after working elsewhere. The name is self-explanatory: like a boomerang, they leave your organisation, gain more experience elsewhere, and then circle right back to your company.
This is more than simply rehiring people who left on good terms. The boomerang employee phenomenon reflects a fundamental shift in how people view their careers and employee relationships. They plan their careers as a series of strategic moves rather than a linear path with one employer.
Advantages of Rehiring Former Employees
So, why should you consider rehiring former employees who quit? Done right, this recruitment tactic generates more benefits than simply filling an open position quickly.
Here are just a few reasons why boomerang employees often outperform completely new hires:
- Reduced Onboarding Time and Costs: Former employees already understand your company culture, processes, and expectations.
- Improved Skills and Fresh Perspectives: Returning workers bring a unique combination of understanding your business and bringing fresh ideas gained from working for other companies.
- Proven Cultural Fit: Unlike a new hire, you already know that a former employee meets your company culture requirements. This reduces the risk of a bad hire.
- Faster Time to Productivity: Because they’re familiar with your systems, clients, and internal processes, boomerang employees often become fully productive much faster than external hires.
- Lower Recruitment Costs: A rehire policy can help your company save on recruitment expenses. For instance, you can skip a lengthy interview process when you have qualified former employees interested in returning.
Tips for Employers to Attract Former Employees Back
Successfully implementing a boomerang hiring strategy requires careful planning and the right attitude. Here’s how to increase the chances of attracting former employees:
1. Maintain Positive Relationships during Exit
A successful boomerang hiring strategy starts with how employees leave. Conduct thoughtful exit interviews, respect their decision to move on, and keep doors open for future opportunities. A gracious goodbye often leads to a warm welcome back.
2. Develop a Formal Rehire Policy
Create clear guidelines for rehiring former employees that address:
- Eligibility criteria
- Waiting periods
- The evaluation processes.
Make sure that the policy is fair, transparent, and shared with current, as well as departing employees.
3. Stay Connected with Former Workers
Build and maintain relationships with former employees through business events, social media, and occasional check-ins. Share company updates, celebrate achievements, and keep the conversation going. Thus, when they’re ready for their next career move, former employees will consider returning to you.
4. Address Why They Left Originally
Often, employees leave because of limited career advancement opportunities or other specific concerns. When considering rehiring, ensure you can address these original pain points. Have you created new growth opportunities? Improved management practices? Enhanced compensation packages?
5. Offer Competitive Packages
Remember that returning employees have gained experience and skills since they left. Your offer should reflect their enhanced value, not just match their previous compensation. Consider their external experience as you would any other candidate’s qualifications.
Let Olinio Help You Rehire the Best Boomerang Employees!
Boomerang employees represent a significant opportunity for companies looking for top talent. At Olinio, we help businesses develop comprehensive talent strategies that include boomerang hiring as a key component.
Whether you’re looking to refine your rehire policy or explore innovative recruitment approaches, we’re here to help you build the workforce you need to thrive. Contact us today to start reshaping your recruitment strategies!