The Great Resignation caused a mass exodus with nearly 50 million Americans quitting their jobs in 2021. Now, a quarter of those job hoppers are expressing “quitter’s remorse.” Job search portal Joblist issued its Q2 2022 US Job Market Report, and the topic of “regret” came up repeatedly. Out of 15,000 job seekers surveyed, 26% said they regretted leaving their previous jobs, leading to terms such as “The Great Regret,” “remorse resignation” and “boomerang employees” gaining traction. But why are so many of those who joined the mass exodus of the workplace during the pandemic having second thoughts?
Mike Morini, CEO of WorkForce Software, talks with Forbes about boomerang employees and how their experience can offer valuable insights and a unique point of view that could even help with the retention of current employees.
“Boomerang employees can remind us of things, large and small, that we can come to take for granted or overlook until we no longer have them,” Morini shared with Forbes. “They shed light on elements of culture that transcend pay and make our efforts at work more worthwhile and fulfilling. When they return, they bring the necessary training and experience to jump back into their job and often a new appreciation for the company that can invigorate their team and give insights into what is special about your organization. If you’re really lucky, they can bring back some new skill, knowledge or competitive insight that they acquired during their time away.”