Would you go back to work somewhere you had left?

[longdistanceclaraclara]

Long story short. Was at firm A for 17 years, left because the team I was in was being repurposed and I didn't like the role and it wasn't my skill set. Left on good terms went to firm B, after two years they were purchased and I was tuped into firm C, been there 18 months and hate it. I would never have chosen to work there.

Now the team that was repurposed at firm A is being rebuilt because it was always obvious the new way was going to fail. Would you go back somewhere you had been before? I don't know if it would somehow look bad / like I'm undermining my own decision to leave in the first place?

Yes if I felt the new role was one I would like

I've done it

You're not happy where you are so you have nothing to lose

Yes.

I did it, they bit my hand off and I went back on more money than I had gone to the new role for. I am recruiting now and have just re hired someone I worked with years ago - as a recruiter it's a dream, takes all of the risk out f hiring and I have been burnt a few times by seemingly ok people turning into disasters and having to be performance managed which sucks up so much time.

nope - never go back to an ex ( ex partner, ex workplace) something within the relationship broke down and that’s why you left.

Yes they may rebuild your team but are the same management there that made the wrong decision in the first place?

Yes, I did.
Left firm A despite being very happy as there was an interesting & better paid opportunity at Firm B. Spent a couple of years at Firm B and, in the run up to going on maternity leave, began discussions about possible flexible working opportunities for when I went back. It was apparent to both me and them that, due to my role, it would be tricky to manage that. Whilst on maternity leave, I met up with a colleague from Firm A who mentioned a part time opportunity which was coming up. I said I'd be interested, colleague told my old boss who messaged me and asked when I wanted to start and what hours did I want to do! I was there for another 5 years and really enjoyed being back there. It was particularly handy on day 2 when I picked DD up to put up in the car to take her to nursery and she vomited all over me. In any other new role, I would have been really worried about taking the second day off. With them, they knew I had a track record of being reliable and this was exceptional.

@PivotPivotmakingmargaritas no the original management are back in place. The twat guy they brought in has gone.

Interesting points thanks all.

@thehousewiththesagegreensofa that's a really good point. My kids are hopefully past the pulling on me stage now but they know my track record / reliability and performance levels.

In the right conditions, I would.

When someone comes back, I assume the company has realised they could be valuable and they have negotiated a ridiculously high package. Good for them.

You get better pay rise and promotions by moving around.

I've just re-joined the business I'd been with for 17 years after a 2 year move to another company. In a lot of ways it has been great - as PP mentioned there are no "what will they think of me" nerves for unavoidable life complications, and I feel valued because they were clearly very keen to have me back onboard.

The reasons I left are still there (poor management structure) but I went in with eyes open knowing that would be a frustration, but that it would be outweighed by the flexibility of the role.

Good luck in your choice!

Yes if the reason you left is no longer an issue. My mum once left a job she'd been in for 20 years because of bullying by a new manager that couldn't be proven. This manager moved on 5 years after Mum left, she applied for a vacancy, got it, and slotted back in like nothing had ever happened. It can work!

Yes, I've actually done it a few times!
It's much easier than finding an entirely new role and I just slotted back in and got on with the job.

Yes for the reasons you left I would.

Yes I did

Company A for 5 years
Left and realised pretty quickly the new place wasn't for me but stayed 18months

Returned to pretty much my old job and was then moved to another area due to growth

Now I'm 3 years back at firm A but I am leaving again not because of any issues or problems just that I have been offered a big promotion and salary increase elsewhere and there is no future opportunities at my current place for now

I do work at a place where people have a habit of leaving and coming back it's quite a niche industry so no issues in it do what's best for you

I also think it would be okay, exactly because of what you said - the reason OP left is no longer an issue.

Agree with others. If you hate where you are now, and the root cause of the problem has gone at your first place, then go back. So much easier than finding a rule new place.

i would encourage people to move out of jobs they hate as it really knocks your confidence. Mine took about 18 months to get back after I left. I hadn’t realised how badly eroded it was.

Yes…was somewhere on a FTC for a year, left at the end and went somewhere new…was invited to return permanently to a more senior role on significantly more £££…haven’t looked back…