Workplace Culture for Boomerang Employees

Do you have employees or clients who have left and come back? Here are our thoughts about creating an inviting workplace culture for these “boomerang” individuals and how they can be the golden ticket to success.

Have you ever had to break up with an employee or a client? Not because of any party’s own fault, but just because the needs of the relationship may have shifted and no longer aligned. It may have been disappointing but most likely necessary for that time.

At the end of the day, we all have to do what is best for ourselves and our businesses. We hate parting ways with great employees and rockstar clients, but it happens! People move on. They grow. But sometimes, they come back.

It hurts when an employee leaves. You lose talent, knowledge, and the abilities they brought to the table. But guess what?

They sometimes leave and learn NEW talents, knowledge, and gain new abilities. Then, if you are lucky and have built an inclusive, engaging workplace culture – THEY COME BACK!!

They bring all that newfound knowledge to your workforce AND a renewed sense of achievement and confidence.

This, my friends, is why boomerang employees can be an additional asset to those that never leave. (GASP, from everyone in the room). But it’s true if you can get an employee never to leave, that’s great.

However, building a culture that encourages a former employee to return is pure MAGIC!

At Workplace Harmony, we value the importance and necessity of a strong work culture. When companies can successfully cultivate and implement an engaging, strong, and inclusive culture, it has long-lasting effects on all employees.

Not only does it increase the chances of your stellar employees to one day return, but they will share this within their networks and circles, and suddenly, everyone wants to sit at your lunch table!

Aside from boomerang employees, we can also compare clients to a boomerang too! In the consulting world, clients are mostly tied to time-framed contracts, and deadlines-which makes sense- but sometimes, that inevitable end can be daunting.

When you have a client you love working with and love the work you’re doing for them, it can be sad to say goodbye. Sometimes they will extend if there is more projects to work on or more ways to improve the business. But sometimes, it’s also just the end of a working relationship. Cut and dry.

BUT they also can come back. They may have a one-off project, and they think of you; They have friends in the business who need consulting and recommend you; They share your content because they believe in you and your work.

We believe that you get out what you give in. Seeing employees return because of the way you treat them is rewarding. Hearing from former clients or receiving referrals from them is gratifying.

Remember, always treat others how you would like to be treated!

Megan Keough, HR Advisor

Megan Keough is an HR Advisor at Workplace Harmony. She began her career in higher education, where she assisted faculty and staff for over three years with various Human Resources needs. In early 2021, Megan joined the Workplace Harmony team as an HR Generalist. She supports clients in different capacities, helping rebuild and rebrand their HR departments, creating and implementing new process flows, and much more!