Tech companies have been hit hard by layoffs during the pandemic, with nearly 245,000 workers losing their jobs this year alone. However, as the job market rebounds and companies seek to hire again, they are finding that many workers are unwilling to return to the companies that laid them off. A recent poll conducted by Glassdoor found that 58% of professionals said they would never go back to a company that laid them off, while in the tech sector, only 46% of workers would consider boomeranging. The legacy of layoffs and how they were handled could have lasting effects on a company’s reputation and its ability to attract talent in the future.
Despite this reluctance, some companies like Salesforce and Meta are actively trying to rehire their former employees, known as boomerangs. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff is encouraging laid-off workers to apply for over 3,000 open roles within the company, even organizing an “alumni event” to entice them back. Meta has gone a step further, creating a specialized “alumni portal” for boomerangs looking to rejoin the company. Boomeranging can be a beneficial strategy for both employees and companies, as returning workers already know the company culture and processes, eliminating the need for extensive onboarding and training. However, after a year, workers are less likely to consider boomeranging, and if they do return, they may expect a significant pay increase.
The decision whether to rehire former employees depends on the individual company’s reputation and how layoffs were handled. Former employees can either become loyal advocates or vocal critics, influencing others’ opinions of the company. As the job market improves, companies that mistreated their laid-off workers or had a negative reputation may struggle to attract talent. Rehiring former employees can save on recruitment costs and benefit from their knowledge and experience, but companies must weigh the value of their boomerangs and consider the potential pay expectations. Ultimately, the choice to boomerang rests with the workers, and many are hesitant to return to the companies that let them go.
In summary, tech companies have laid off a significant number of workers during the pandemic, but now as the job market improves, they are finding that many of these workers are unwilling to return. A poll by Glassdoor revealed that a majority of professionals, particularly in the tech sector, would not go back to a company that laid them off. However, companies like Salesforce and Meta are actively trying to rehire their former employees, recognizing the benefits of boomeranging. Rehiring former employees can save on costs and leverage their familiarity with the company, but companies must consider their reputation and potential pay expectations. The decision to boomerang ultimately lies with the workers, who are cautious about returning to companies that let them go.
