Attracting Boomerang Employees [infographic] – Friday Distraction
(Editor’s Note: Today’s post is brought to you by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). As the philanthropic foundation of the National Restaurant Association, the NRAEF works to attract, develop and retain professionals for the restaurant industry. Enjoy today’s post!)
I first heard the term “boomerang” employee about a decade ago. It’s when an employee leaves an industry or company and later returns. You know, like a boomerang. I’ve always seen boomerang employees viewed as a positive thing. When an employee returns after spending time somewhere else, it sends the message to the rest of the company that the workplace must be pretty special.
The boomerang term is gaining in popularity as companies struggle to find talent. Former employees can be a great source of talent. They know the industry, the company, the policies and practices, etc. They know the good, bad and ugly … and still come back.
I really liked the statistic in this infographic from the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation that says 60% of employees age 35 and over returned to the restaurant industry after gigs in another field.
This is particularly interesting when you think about the number of people who start their work lives in the restaurant industry – 92%. Huge numbers of people start their careers in restaurants and, as we learned in last month’s infographic, end their careers in restaurants. I know from firsthand experience the restaurant workplace can be pretty special.
As human resources professionals, we know the grass isn’t always greener someplace else. But we have to let people make these decisions for themselves. Our goal is to welcome them back when they decide to return. Because they will continue to be a big contributor for the company.
