- A poll revealed that workers aren’t so quick to jump back into a role at a company that laid them off.
- If you’re considering boomeranging, it’s important to look at the company’s financial situation and what’s best for you.
- From the drawbacks to the benefits, here are some aspects to think about when weighing your options.
When we asked workers within the Glassdoor Community two years ago if they would return to a company that laid them off, their answer was a resounding “no”, with several users emphasizing that absolutely nothing could entice them to boomerang. It turns out that resistance to come back to a former employer has not budged, with *58% of workers still declining, even amid a white collar recession.
The reluctance to become a “boomerang employee” or a “boomerang hire” (terms used to describe employees who return to previous employers) makes sense. Layoffs can be a blow to your confidence, so many workers are likely carrying around a lot of hurt feelings. But some employees, still feeling burned and distrustful from past experiences, would meet any thought of returning with a hefty amount of skepticism. As one commenter noted, “If I had limited options, yes; however, with an eye to the future and an understanding that they’ll lay me off again when necessary.”
A handful of workers said that even if they were offered a higher salary, they still wouldn’t go back to a former employer. Our lead researcher, Chris Martin, explained this hesitation.
“Getting paid isn’t the only thing that matters to employees. They want security, opportunities for professional growth and advancement, and to feel valued by management and leadership. Experiencing a layoff changes an employee’s confidence in their employer’s ability to offer those things in the future -- not to mention, they may not want to return to the scene of a traumatic layoff. While there are reasons people love to boomerang to a former employer, getting laid off sours the appeal.”
If you’re struggling to determine if boomeranging is right for you, here are a few things to keep in mind.
1. Understand the pros and cons
Despite your initial gut reaction, “boomeranging can be very positive,” Emily Liou, a certified life and career coach at CultiVitae shares. That’s true for a couple of reasons:
- You can skip some of the initial onboarding stages, as you have familiarity with the company and many of its processes
- You’ve already built a reputation and that, as long as your reputation is positive, you can pick right back up from where you left with your career growth
But with that said, there can also be a few drawbacks. For one, it can be hard to shake your feelings of uncertainty or bitterness, particularly if the layoffs were recent. There’s also a chance that if you were laid off with a large number of colleagues, it can feel difficult (and even disloyal) to return to that organization and work with a new group of people.
2. Do some honest self-reflection
Ultimately, you’re the only one who can decide whether or not to come back to a previous employer. “If you feel excited, grateful, happy, or elated about the potential of returning, then that’s a great sign that you’re making the right decision,” Emily says.
On the flip side, it’s best to turn down the offer if you feel:
- Eager to see what else is out there
- A strong grudge or feelings of cynicism
- A loss of respect for the employer because of how they handled previous layoffs
- Tempted to return simply to prove a point that they never should’ve let you go
It’s also worth revisiting the circumstances of the previous layoffs. “If it was an economic layoff and they handled it as best they could — decent severance or trying to help me find something else — then maybe,” one commenter said about the potential of returning. Several other commenters agreed that’s different from being laid off for performance reasons or an employer who pushed you out the door without a second thought.
3. Use the interview process to your advantage
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions to help you make a better-informed decision,” Emily says, especially if you’re still on the fence about whether or not to return. During the interview or hiring process, ask:
- Why and how was the previous layoff decision made?
- Is the financial stability of the company still a concern?
- Why are they interested in bringing you back now?
- Have they had other previous employees return? If so, what has that experience been like?
These questions can help you get a better understanding of the current opportunity and some peace of mind if you do decide to accept the job.
Even something as simple as the employer’s reaction to your questions can provide helpful clues. “If the employer is rubbed the wrong way that you’re asking questions that are important for you, that states a lot,” Emily shares.
Making the decision to return or move on
If a previous employer laid you off, you might’ve sworn that you’d never go back. But, valuable opportunities can come from anywhere — and that includes your previous employers.
If you had a positive experience (aside from the layoff), you might not want to be so quick to write off the job because of your bruised ego.
“Don’t be afraid to look at your career like a jungle gym that takes a lot of unconventional twists and turns,” Emily concludes. Heading back to a previous employer might not be what you expected, but it could still be worthwhile.
Methodology: *The poll ran from April 9, 2025 through April 11, 2025 and was answered by over 4,000 U.S. professionals. Respondents could answer with either “Yes” or “No” to the question, “Would you accept a job offer from a company that laid you off?”