Returning to old job - has anyone done this?
Posted by MsAnxiety777@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 23 comments
Has anyone let their job and then returned two weeks later. What was the HR process? Did you get your same job conditions or did you have to re-apply? Not sure what the HR rules are. Thanks
CarpeCyprinidae@reddit
One important thing to insist on is continuity of employment - have them maintain that you were resuming your employment with your original start date
Important for several employment-related rights including protection from dismissal and full pension contributions
Fraggle_ninja@reddit
Depends on the company. I worked in an industry where competitor rotation was normal (especially when client contracts were won by competitors) and they offered all previous contract terms & benefits re instated if you returned within 6 months. Another place I worked at it was at discretion, no guarantees you didn’t just start from scratch.
JackfruitPractical84@reddit
I left a part time job at B&Q and rejoined within three weeks 11 years ago. Wasn’t much to it really other than asking my old manager, luckily the job hadn’t been advertised yet. Had a new payroll number etc and was treated as a new starter.
-WhiteNyx-@reddit
Completely unrelated to the actual post but I worked at B&Q for a short period and no word of a lie but it was my favourite job I’ve ever had.
JackfruitPractical84@reddit
Yes was good place to work and almost everybody there was a decent member of staff. I worked there for 4 years 8 months in total over the two stints, two shifts a week.
-WhiteNyx-@reddit
I personally couldn’t return to an old job unless it was in a higher role or for better pay. of course everyone’s circumstance is different but it just gives me coming back with your tail between your legs vibes.
Either way if you decide to do it or no I wish you the best!!
Nolsoth@reddit
I was made redundant mid last year, around Christmas former employer(manager) reached out and offered me a similar position at a different site that they had ended up at after the restructure.
I was bored with being unemployed for 6 months so I took the offer and now work for the same employer again (I've actually been through two redundancies with them and they keep reaching out and offering me new roles after paying me out reasonable redundancy sums).
GlumAd9856@reddit
I worked in HR for 12 years and this is a common situation. People find it far more difficult to make the transition to a new job than they thought they would.
But my advice is almost always to stick it out - it usually takes 6 months to get over the hump, but the personal/professional development is worthwhile. And it will harm your future career options if you leave a new job after 2 weeks.
Physical-Bear2156@reddit
Not me, but a colleague.
He left, hated the new job intensely, and decided to come back as they hadn't filled his old position yet (it required specific experience and knowledge that is not widely available).
He was allowed back on the same financial package, but in all other respects was treated as a new employee. Hence, length of service gone and the additional holidays that went with that. I'm not sure if it affected his company pension in anyway.
EveningHere@reddit
Length of service can really screw you over because it affects things like redundancy pay, and even if you get any.
Lynvor@reddit
Yeah got my job back, didn't have to do anything except give them my passport and NI again to scan and upload.
Used-Journalist-36@reddit
My old boss did this, they cut his pay and worsened his conditions.
BlushyMikha@reddit
I have seen people do this and it really depends on the company because some will just take you back quick if you left on good terms and others make you go through the whole reapply process again so it can be a bit of a gamble.
FreeBogwoppits@reddit
Colleague did it. She was gone about six weeks then pleaded to come back. This was at a local council. She came back on exactly the same terms that she left, but she's lost everything that had been accrued. So same job title and same pay, but back to the beginning as a new starter for accruing leave and sick pay.
No-Door-3181@reddit
Spill the tea, why going back after 2 weeks?
ThickTadpole3742@reddit
It will depend entirely on your employer.
ross-dirext-words137@reddit
It happens allot of you leave on good terms. People leave realise what a dumpster fire the new jobs is. Come straight back.
Generally you go right back into your old role, but you might be starting again with a new contract. (Loss of redundancy protection and continues employment).
If your really good at your job you may even come back with a promotion as you leaving can make them realise you value.
Long_Wait_3078@reddit
I re-joined a company about 9 months after I left.
Didn’t have to re-apply per se, I saw my role was still being advertised in LinkedIn, called my old manager and met for a drink with her, to talk through it.
Was pretty much offered the job during the drinks so no formal interview process.
Word of advice you left for a reason tho, the human mind tends to look back on memories and only remember the good times and not the bad.
I made more money in the short term going back, but in the long term stunted my career
Snaggl3t00t4@reddit
Ive gone back to the same company (bad mistake) but not the same job....
Icy-Plate-9021@reddit
I left a company, however, I returned a few years later
And no, you will almost certainly be returning under new conditions and depending on why you left and why you came back you may or may not get treated like absolute crap
FornyHucker22@reddit
That’s entirely gonna depend. Certainly no legal obligation to return you to the exact conditions you had before.
what were the reasons to leaving and quick return? (Just interested) 😅
Grenache@reddit
The re apply question is interesting. Like, you know you can't just say can I come back and they say yes right?
They might, but if they do it'd very likely be on an entirely new contract as a new starter.
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