A snapshot survey of 128 secretarial staff on behalf of office support recruiter la crme has found that less than a third ( 31%) would consider working for an ex employer. This is despite recent research that says that ëboomerang hiringí - as it is known - is on the increase.
ìObviously in a skill short market, employers are looking at new and different ways of filling their vacancies and ex-employees are a logical pool of potential talent,î says Jo Stuteley Director of la crme, but it can be risky, particularly if their original reasons for leaving have not really been addressedî
Of the secretarial staff questioned, just under a quarter (23%) had worked for the same employer more than once but this was often on a temporary basis. Of those that had returned to a permanent job with the same employer, sentiment was mixed: ìI found it difficult for my team to take me seriously as they saw me as indecisive ñ it made returning a complete disaster and I only stayed a couple of monthsî, said one respondent while another commented: ìIt was ok ñ and good to be back with my old team - but in the end it was really a comfort zone and my reasons for leaving in the first place ñ a lack of career development opportunities- soon resurfaced.î
Stuteleyís advice to employers is to examine anyoneís reasons for leaving through detailed exit interviews. ìItís really important to ascertain whether this is an issue that can be addressed ñ if it can, itís going to help retention rates ñ and you may end up keeping your best staff rather than trying to rehire them.
Better the devil you know? Not for secretarial staff
Less than a third would work for an ex-employer
