Returning to a Previous Employer: Is It Okay to Ask for Your Old Job Back?

Returning to a Previous Employer

Is it okay to call and request your previous employer to take you back after you've changed your company but find the new working environment is not good?

If your mind says "yes," go ahead and request your previous employer. If your previous employer has a policy of re-employing former employees, they will entertain your request. Most companies don't encourage reemployment, as separation occurs after retention negotiations fail, and the employee has completely made up their mind to part with the company, indicating that they are not or will not be satisfied.

For reference, you can even go through the following link: https://www.citehr.com/305329-re-emp...table-not.html

My previous company has a policy of re-employment. In fact, this has happened many times in my previous company. Also, the post I left is still vacant. But is it ethically correct to do so? I mean, what face would you show to them?

My suggestion is "No." When you break the umbilical cord and part away, the respect and command that you were getting may not come back.

Regards

Ethically, there is nothing wrong in rejoining your previous employer. Morally, it's your decision! What face you would show is a personal question for which you should find an answer.

Returning to Your Previous Company: A Cautionary Note

Never try to go back to your old company, even on a special request by that company, let alone your own request. Your own request can lower your dignity, while a request by the company may be due to some hidden conspiracy.

Dear Abhi, You have posted another message at https://www.citehr.com/345552-job-ho...-3-months.html where you state that you moved to a smaller firm for double the wages and a change in position. Now, do you want your old job back at lower pay? If not, why should the company pay you double the wage and a promotion after only 3 months, that too at your request? I learned long ago that "Beggars are no choosers"; that's what you would be if you approach your previous employer.

The situation would be entirely different if you had worked for a longer time in the new company and you were "headhunted" for a job in the old firm. These things happen in this age of technology.

Have a nice day.

Regards, Simhan Learning and Teaching Fellow (Retd.) The University of Bolton, UK.

"It is never too late to learn or improve oneself."

Reasons for my concern are:

1. New colleagues are saying the working culture is very bad here. In fact, they themselves suggested moving back.
2. The project is getting delayed indefinitely, which means either a lack of work or being involved in insignificant tasks.
3. I may sound ridiculous and funny, but believe me, I feel morally wrong for leaving them midway when their project was about to be completed.
4. I feel greed for money compelled me to take such a step. Of course, I know they will take me back at the previous salary. In fact, I am thinking that if I get one chance, I will happily retire from my old company.

We can only speak based on our experience. However, as we do not know the firms involved and their culture, you will be the best judge to make a decision. I hope you have learned a lesson that money and position are not the only things in life, but health and happiness are.

Wishing you all the best.

Regards,
Simhan

Dear Abhi, Shruti may also be right in her observation about your organization and your colleagues. So, you have to make your decision very carefully after weighing all the pros and cons of leaving your present company.

However, if you are emotionally attached to your old company, you need not make any request. There are other ways also to make them ready to invite you back by winning their confidence. Just start interacting with the responsible people there by having casual visits to learn about their problems and lend your helping hand voluntarily (without any remuneration), so that they may feel the necessity to call you back and offer you a respectable position. But, never disclose your views to them about the existence of bad work culture in the present company. Otherwise, as said by Simhan, your position will be just like a beggar. You won't be able to command that respect, which you would have enjoyed earlier or may be expecting now if you get a job on your request. Moreover, they may offer even a lesser salary than what you had already been getting from that company.

Regards

To return to a previous organization is not bad. The same problem I faced 25 days ago. I joined a new organization to leave my previous one. I showed a higher salary to my new organization and received a significant hike. However, a senior from my previous company complained to the Managing Director of my new organization. The reason was that I received less than what I had demanded. Consequently, I resigned from my new organization and rejoined my previous one. Returning to a previous organization exposes you to various challenges and the reality of dealing with different people.

Returning to a Previous Organization: A Personal Experience

To return to the previous organization is not bad. The same problem I faced 25 days ago. I joined a new organization to leave my previous one. I showed a higher salary to my new organization, and I received a very high hike. However, my previous company's senior complained to the MD of my new organization, stating that I received less than what I demanded. I resigned from my new organization and joined my previous one. Once you return to a previous organization, you have to face many challenges and the reality of all the people there.

I hope you have learned your lesson. Do not resort to unethical practices in your professional career. It will catch up with you sometime in life. I am surprised that despite your old senior complaining to your new MD, he was willing to take you back. Something does not add up.

We have all been through this at some point in our lives. The decision is yours. I always believe we must not burn bridges when leaving the previous employer. It's a small world, and your good relations could help you sometime in life. That being said, do not go by your new colleagues' take on the culture of the organization. That is their view. You need to experience it yourself and make a judgment. Do not do anything in a knee-jerk manner. Think it over carefully. My suggestion would be for you to stick around in the new company and make an informed decision if you do decide to move on. All the best.

One of my friends is also in the same situation; he received double the salary from his current employer compared to his previous one. Previously, he held a prominent post and was recognized as a great performer. However, in his current job, there is a lack of power delegation, tasks are progressing slowly, and he is facing numerous obstacles. Consequently, he has decided to return to his former employer and has resigned from his current position. He has requested his previous employer to reinstate him in his previous role or offer him a different position. They are keen to rehire him but have asked him to wait for a few days. As he is currently unemployed, he is seeking your thoughts and advice before making his next move.

Best regards,
Kathar Basha
Communications Manager
MIOT Hospital, Chennai