Asking For Old Job Back

[Sporty2022]

Hi everyone, advice please. I just this week started a new job working for a large company as a HGV driver. Basically I regretted it as soon as I started it. I went for it job because it was Mon- Fri and the hours suited me.
My old job I had to work every Saturday, and had Sundays and Monday off.

The new job just just doesn’t feel right and I’ve made a few mistakes and already been ‘advised’ on a few issues. Other than that I just don’t like the atmosphere, I just don’t feel I belong there.

In desperation, I emailed my old boss this afternoon . Basically I admitted a made a mistake and asked if there any chance of going back..

Now do I seem desperate? Leaving a job and wanting to return so soon? The boss hasn’t replied yet, maybe that’s a bad sign?.. Maybe the boss won’t apply to me at all?

Now I’m worried that my new employer could somehow find out what I’ve done , and still not get my old job back. I feel like I’ve a created a real mess for myself and feel so stupid.

Any advice?

Honestly, don't worry, I happens more often than you think, in my shop, we've had three people leave and all come back within less than a month. It meant we didn't have to train anyone up, bit annoying we had to put up vacancies, but it was better to take the staff back on. One guy has left three times now, but he knows if he does it again, he won't be able to come back, plus we could only give him a reduced new contract. What I'm trying to say is, it won't hurt you asking, as long as you left on good terms.

And they pretty much all left for the same reasons as you, better days/hours to suit them, we're pretty flexible in our rotas, but it does include some weekend work and the contracts aren't always full time, so we never begrudged anyone wanting to go for something more suitable for them.

Thanks Tothemoon- my old manager hasn’t responded yet… maybe a bad sign?
I believe I left on good terms but not sure my old company will take me back- they’ve been adverting for staff , even before I left.
They may also think it’s strange me asking to go back so quickly…

He's probably finding out if it's possible to have you back if you've only emailed this afternoon.

Well the worst that can happen is they say no, but of they were already recruiting and seeing as though you are already trained up etc then you might just find that they say yes. I guess a concern could be is that you leave again but no employee is guaranteed to stay in a role anyway!

Keeping fingers crossed for you

Thing is the two companies are kind of work together in some cases
Now I’m frightened that I may not get my old job back and my new employer would find out I asked to go back.
Sometimes word does get around. Oh I feel so anxious about it all.

My colleague left for 9 months and asked for her job back. The managers were all relieved to have someone who could jump straight in.

Well I guess I’ll wait and see. I’d like to think my old boss would reply to me either way though…

Have you still not had a reply?

I honestly misread the title of this thread as as "asking for old bob black" like it was some odd colloquialism the op was on about 😄

Sorry , not been on for a few days. Little update- my previous manager emailed me back the next day.
He said he’d be happy to have me back and that I should pop in and see him to have a chat.

The next day I decided to ring my old manager, his number was in his mobile. In basically said if made a mistake and hated my new job!
Manger seemed to be sympathetic and said we’ll talk on Monday but happy for me to return.
So do I look desperate like I’m grovelling for my old job back- I only left last week!
I knew on day 2 that I’d made a mistake..

Sorry decided to ring old manager I meant, his number was on his email address.

Never go back, it's always a mistake & people view you as flakes for leaving then returning.

You might go back to exactly the same job but it wont be exactly the same.

Oh ok Stripey… never thought of it like that , not sure what to think now. My friend is a supermarket manager , he left his job for a rival supermarket, didn’t like it and returned a year later. He’s still there many five years on.

Plenty of people return to their old jobs @Sporty2022 there was a thread on here recently but I can’t find it to link.

I returned to a previous job after 4 months at a new one I hated, I was there for another 14 years. If you would be happier then return, you could always then look for something else but at least you wouldn’t be in the job you are in now.

Thanks SoS..

Should I feel embarrassed when I see my old boss tomorrow? I’ve only been gone literally a week. I’m rushing from my new job tomorrow to see him , it’s literally across the road.
Can’t help but feel they’ll think I’ve failed, asking to come back instantly!

I just feel so stupid for leaving in the first place..

Don't be embarrassed. These things happen.

Next time you leave be certain you're making a positive move.