Why Are UK Professionals Returning To Their Old Employers?

A new report from MyPerfectCV shows a massive rise in the number of people thinking about going back to former employers. The Boomerang Effect 2025 Report says 56% of UK workers would think about returning to a recent employer. A YouGov poll included in the report found that 47% would think about going back to an earlier role.

Jasmine Escalera from MyPerfectCV said that going back to an old workplace is becoming more accepted. She said this shift in thinking should influence the way companies view long term links with their workers.

Actual return numbers are still small. MyPerfectCV found that only 2.23% of people who moved jobs in 2022 returned to an old employer. This means companies sit on a large pool of people who already understand the job and could come back faster than new hires.

What Is Drawing People Back?

Many people changed jobs after the Great Resignation and expected better pay or a new direction. MyPerfectCV says 72% of workers who moved during this period felt regret because the new role did not match what they were told. This regret has pushed many to look back at old employers.

Workers also say they miss familiar systems, colleagues and a sense of community. Many want flexible hours, better policies or new roles that were not open before. These points appear again and again in the MyPerfectCV findings.

MyPerfectCV reports that returning workers tend to receive a 25% to 28% pay rise. The Access Group figure quoted in the report found that people who stay usually get around 4%. This gap has made returning a clear financial win for many workers.

Who Is The Typical Returnee?

The MyPerfectCV data shows that returning workers tend to be older and come back with stronger skills. Many return at a higher level than when they left. They often decide within 13 months, which shows the decision happens quickly once the new job proves disappointing.

Returnees often feel more confident about what they want. They know the workplace well and arrive with a clearer view of what worked before and what did not. This helps them set firmer expectations with managers.

The research says many returning workers bring fresh energy because they want to repay the chance to come back. This can lift teams and support ongoing work.

Where Is This Trend Most Common?

MyPerfectCV points to retail as the strongest example. It says 33% of new hires in this sector are people coming back. Manufacturing follows at 25%. Both sectors value staff who already know the systems and can restart quickly.

Professional services also show high levels of return. EY data quoted in the report says around 15% of its external hires are former staff. Companies in this sector often keep networks of past employees, which makes returning easier.

Financial services has one of the highest levels of returning workers overall. People in this sector often handle long term client links and complex processes. Managers trust returnees because they already understand these demands.

What Does This Mean For Employers?

Managers gain benefits as well when they welcome back former staff. They save on training time because returnees already know how the workplace runs. They also lower the risk of a mismatch because they have seen the person work before.

Of course, there are risks there as well. MyPerfectCV notes that loyal staff who stayed may feel unhappy if returnees come back on higher pay or in better roles. Managers may also worry that a returning worker could leave again if old problems remain.

Even so, MyPerfectCV says the trend is strong and growing. If companies keep good links with former workers, they can build a steady pipeline of people who understand the workplace and can return stronger.