Early in his career, Sean Stephens received some advice that rang true: “The grass isn’t greener on the other side, it’s greener where you water it.”
The truth of the statement became even clearer when he considered returning to Ibotta, a Denver-based performance marketing company, after spending time advancing his career elsewhere.
“After venturing out, I came to truly appreciate what an amazing company and strong culture Ibotta has and how fortunate I was to have been part of it,” he said. “While my time away was invaluable — I developed new skills, learned, grew, gained perspective and developed lifelong relationships — there’s a special atmosphere at Ibotta that I simply missed.”
“While my time away was invaluable, there’s a special atmosphere at Ibotta that I simply missed.”
Stephens isn’t the only talented tech professional returning to a previous role. Boomerang employees represent a meaningful trend in today’s hiring landscape.
Boomerang employees are often seen as a valuable asset because they require less onboarding, are familiar with the company culture and can quickly reintegrate into their roles.
Research from Harvard Business Review suggests that boomerang employees tend to perform better and stay longer than other hires. They are already acquainted with the company’s processes and culture, which means they can hit the ground running, leading to quicker productivity.
Professionals like Stephens who return to previous employers often bring back new skills, experiences and perspectives that benefit both the individual and the organization. This not only reduces hiring costs but also fosters a culture of growth and development within the company.
For individuals like Stephens, returning to a previous employer is not a step back but a step forward in their career journey.
What drew you back to Ibotta?
During my years away, Ibotta’s business strategy underwent a fascinating transformation. It evolved from a direct-to-consumer app to a flourishing network of distributed rewards for the biggest retailers in the world. The company’s trajectory was impressive – it landed a sponsorship with the Denver Nuggets and was getting ready to have an IPO. Ibotta was in a different stratosphere than when I left it.
Combine that with Ibotta’s stellar track record of enabling internal mobility and the chance to work again with some inspiring leaders and colleagues, and well, let’s just say earning a “boomerang employee” t-shirt became a pretty compelling prospect.
Since returning to your employer, what are you most excited to have back in your professional life?
Without question, it’s the dedicated in-office days. While the flexibility of remote work is immensely valuable, particularly for a working dad of two young children, there’s a unique energy that comes with solving problems and collaborating with colleagues face-to-face that just can’t be replicated via Zoom. After years as a fully remote employee, I yearned for in-person connection.
Ibotta’s hybrid policy allows for a well-balanced approach, allowing for focused work from home and the enriching benefits of in-person interaction. It allows me to cultivate deeper connections and camaraderie that energizes me.
What advice would you offer to leaders who wish to create the type of workplace that draws former employees back? What qualities define a truly great workplace?
Creating a boomerang-friendly workplace starts with creating a positive experience for departing employees. People will leave their job for many reasons — there aren’t enough opportunities to grow, they don’t feel appreciated, they have an exciting offer elsewhere, they are ready for something different, they need to relocate for personal reasons and so on.
When an employee puts in their notice, it’s important for leaders to avoid taking it personally. Rather, focus on celebrating their contributions, reflecting on their accomplishments and expressing empathy for their decision. Be excited for their future endeavors and ask how you can support them during the transition.
Quoting Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” This wisdom rings especially true during the delicate minutes, days and weeks of an employee’s departure.
By fostering a supportive and respectful environment during their exit — and, hopefully it goes without saying, but throughout their entire tenure at the company — you build a trusting bond that will endure.
