'Boomerang Employees': Majority of Filipino Professionals Are Willing to Go Back to a Previous Employer

Most Filipino professionals would be willing to return to a previous employer, while most managers currently hiring are open to considering hiring a previous employee, a new study says. 

About 78 percent of professionals in the Philippines, or about eight in 10, have said that they are open to returning to their previous employer. Meanwhile, about 80 percent of employers who are currently hiring say they would take back former employees “without hesitation or caution.”

The findings are taken from a recent poll of close to 1,000 professionals across six Southeast Asian countries, of which over 100 are from the Philippines, by global recruitment consultancy firm Robert Walters. The same poll also said that about 47 percent of workers in the Philippines who had left their job in the past two years did so because they were seeking better pay and benefits, while an additional 42 percent left for a better career progression.

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In addition, local professionals admitted in the poll that, not only would they be willing to consider returning to their previous employers, 24 percent said they would consider it for better remuneration, 21 percent said they would do it for career progression opportunities, and 22 percent would do it if there are changes to the leadership or team structure. 

According to the study, an overwhelming majority of Filipino professionals who participated in the poll (88 percent) still in keep in touch with their former companies, with about a quarter of the number (23 percent) saying this was a way to keep the door open for future job opportunities. Meanwhile, about 33 percent of local professionals have admitted to reaching out to a previous employer in the past two years regarding job opportunities, while 12 percent have expressed the intention to do so.

On the other hand, a whopping 90 percent of employers looking to fill gaps in their manpower list have responded that they would be willing to rehire them for suitable positions, while about

80 percent of managers have said that they will consider welcoming back “good ex-employees.” Eleven percent are open to the idea in general but opt to take a more cautious approach, while only seven percent say they would not consider taking back ex-employees. The last figure is lower compared to the regional average of nine percent. 

“Our findings reveal that the hiring managers in the Philippines are notably receptive to considering the rehiring of their former employees, while less than 80 percent of professionals maintain contact with their previous employers,” said Alejandro Perez-Higuero - Director at Robert Walters Philippines added. “In the light of the growing talent shortage, nurturing positive relationships with ex-employees is advisable. This approach carries several benefits, including familiarity with your company and culture, which minimizes adaptation time and training costs. Re-hires quickly contribute and can even play a role in succession planning.

“But as you explore the possibility of re-hiring, it is crucial to assess the reasons for their departure and growth during their absence, ensuring a mutually beneficial arrangement for both parties,” he added.