Dive Brief:
- Nearly all the 2,800 senior managers (94%) in a new Accountemps survey said they would rehire ex-employees who left their companies on good terms. Survey results showed, however, that only slightly more than half (52%) of the 1,000 workers polled would apply for a job with a previous employer.
- The reasons cited for not wanting to work for a former employer included: dissatisfaction with leadership (22%), didn't fit organizational culture (17%), unfulfilling duties (13%) and bridges burned by the company (11%).
- For employers considering rehiring former employees, Accountemps recommended that before starting the recruiting process, companies ask ex-employees what they're looking for in order to avoid previous problems. It also suggested companies follow all formal hiring procedures, including performing reference checks and making sure a return would benefit both parties. Accountemps said employers should put former workers through the standard onboarding process as well to get them up to date on company policies and procedures and to reassess returning hires' skills to make sure they're a good fit for the opening.
Dive Insight:
The labor market remains tight and unemployment low, leaving employers still struggling with finding qualified candidates. Employers are finding that they're benefited by reaching into talent pools that may have been once overlooked. These groups include former employees, veterans, people with disabilities and ex-convicts. Familiarity with ex-employees' performance and their knowledge of a company can be an advantage for both parties.
The same hiring rules and procedures should apply to rehires as if bringing new employees onboard. "Rehiring a former staff member may seem like a simple process, but it's essential to understand why the person originally left and whether the issue has been resolved," Accountemps Executive Director Michael Steinitz said. "The employee will not stay long if past problems keep resurfacing."
