According to new research from international recruitment specialist Robert Half, organisations in the UK are more open to hiring boomerang employees, those returning to a former employer.

Companies are becoming increasingly receptive to the idea of rehiring former workers, with 83% of HR executives reporting they are more accepting of boomerang employees than they were three years ago. Only 7% of UK HR directors are opposed to rehiring former employees.

Meanwhile, 36% of HR directors have successfully rehired an employee who previously left a role in their organisation. While 25% of HR executives said they have previously employed a boomerang employee but wouldn’t do it again.

Almost half, or 49%, of HR executives working for large companies in the UK have successfully rehired former employees. 

“Rehiring former employees back into the organisation can help to offset the current challenges companies face in the war for talent. This growing acceptance of boomerang employees emphasises the increasing fluidity of the job market. Many firms see value and potential cost savings in allowing employees to expand their experience and skills set outside their organisation, leaving the door open for them to return at a later date,” Phil Sheridan, Senior Managing Director of Robert Half UK, said.

Robert Half states that it appears HR directors in larger companies are more open than their smaller counterparts to the idea of rehiring former workers, with 4% saying they wouldn’t consider hiring a boomerang employee compared to 12% of those in small enterprises.   

“In smaller enterprises especially, there sometimes isn’t the opportunity or scope for employees to expand their skills set,” Sheridan said. “In these instances employers may benefit from allowing employees to leave and gain the experience they need for their career, with the added value of additional training, while keeping the door open for ‘alumni’ employees should a suitable role become available.”

The research also highlights the factors that are most influential in seeing an employee rehired. A successful track record (60%) was the most important factor in these decisions, followed by their fit into the corporate culture (40%). Ongoing skills shortages are encouraging HR directors to look at engaging with former hires, particularly if they have expanded their experience at a new employer and can return to a company at a higher level. More than a third (36%) of HRDs highlighted the benefits of reduced on-boarding costs as a factor influencing their decision to employ a former employee.