The spa industry is one that is known for a workforce that changes jobs rather frequently. For some wellness businesses, this may mean being presented with the conundrum of possibly rehiring a former employee. The question is, should you do it? In the world of business and human resources, most would say there are times when an employer should absolutely rehire a “boomerang” employee, such as in circumstances that affect the business’s bottom line or if the employee’s departure involved extenuating circumstances. But the main thing to consider is if bringing a former employee back will have a positive or negative outcome on your business. Here are a few questions to ponder:
Why did the employee leave?
Will rehiring this employee improve or diminish your employee culture?
There will always be the second honeymoon effect when an employee returns, but your organization and your employee culture will have changed. It’s important to note that comments like “that’s not the way we used to do things” or “this is what frustrated me last time” may be statements a manager eventually will hear from the rehire. But even if your candidate returns as a model employee, your staff that has stayed now features a different team dynamic. Recycling a “boomerang” employee could decrease the loyalty from those who have stayed. After all, allowing someone to return sends a message to others that it’s okay to quit.
Why do you want to rehire this candidate?
In asking yourself these questions, you may also want to remind yourself of the power of fresh eyes. Businesses change and grow or change and fail, but one of the best ways to change and grow is by adding new team members. These new hires bring new forms of creativity, new ideas to enhance your operations, and new ways of thinking. Fresh eyes examine a business differently than anyone previously and have the potential to increase your business reach by bringing new contacts. The best business growth is often a result of fresh perspective, not from recycling prior memories.
Michael G. Tompkins is an executive recruiter with Hutchinson Consulting. To contact him, call (520) 425-6387 or email [email protected].