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Original poster

Applying to work in previous workplace ? HR

17 replies

Babyroobs · 27/06/2020 20:35

Can anyone advise whether they think it is ever worth applying to work somewhere you have worked before and left with bad feeling ? I was in a job for a short while last year (large organisation). I was under a lot of personal stress at the time and the job was not as it was originally advertised with lots of travel and feeling extremely isolated with home working. I eventually became ill and felt like my team leader was to some degree bullying and just wanted me gone. I went off sick for two weeks and didn't go back. after some months when I was feeling stronger I made a complaint to their HR about the lack of support, they said they had investigated, but nothing untoward found. I completely expected this and moved on from it.
Now an opportunity in the same organisation has come up again, would be in a completely different setting and nothing to do with previous team or team leader. I am in a much better place health wise. Would it be worth me applying or would my application be instantly dismissed because of my previous complaint ? I work in a niche area and love my job but there are very few opportunities. My current work in driving me crazy with colleagues that don't know what they are doing and a manager who does nothing about their constant mistakes that are detrimental to vulnerable clients.
In a nutshell - do any HR people think there is any chance of going back to an organisation where you left on a bad note, to a different department. I meet all the criteria, could slot back in with a lot of the processes etc and did all the induction training previously. Would you give me a second chance or not ??

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Original poster
Babyroobs · 27/06/2020 20:37

Just to add I don't want to spend ages applying for the job if there is zero chance of an interview.

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killerofmen · 27/06/2020 20:39

I think you'd need to be very clear about the reasons you left and why you want to return. It might be ringing HR and see if they have a policy regarding rehiring. When I worked in financial services there was a broad rule about not hiring people who left the company withing the last two years but they would override that in certain circumstances.

JadLi · 27/06/2020 21:20

Honest opinion - Employer is not likely to give you a chance after complaining to HR about their lack of support.

Original poster
Babyroobs · 27/06/2020 21:24

@JadLi

Honest opinion - Employer is not likely to give you a chance after complaining to HR about their lack of support.
That's what I thought JadLi, thanks for your honesty. To be honest the company's reviews are absolutely full of allegations of bullying so I'm not keen to go back there anyway, just running out of options in a niche area of work.
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ChicCroissant · 27/06/2020 21:27

Often the decision to re-employ would be down to the recruiter which is unlikely to be HR in a large employer, so it may depend on how large the employer is. As the PP said, check if they have a policy on rehiring people.

Having said that, it would unusual IME to go back to a company you have formally complained about!

Original poster
Babyroobs · 27/06/2020 21:35

@ChicCroissant

Often the decision to re-employ would be down to the recruiter which is unlikely to be HR in a large employer, so it may depend on how large the employer is. As the PP said, check if they have a policy on rehiring people.

Having said that, it would unusual IME to go back to a company you have formally complained about!

Yes I realise that, it wouldn't be a choice really to apply to go back, I'm just running out of options. I guess I might be better really to look for other jobs that are similar but not in my exact area of expertise.
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killerofmen · 27/06/2020 22:00

If it helps any, a friend of mine had an awful experience with an employer and quit after 6 months. She went back to a different department and i advised against it. She loved the new job, completely different departmental culture and she's coming up to 15 years service.

welshladywhois40 · 27/06/2020 22:11

To be honest - can also depend on how you left things with the last manager. If I was hiring and saw you had worked here before I would want to know why you left and would approach the last manager for a reference.

But if the last manager is known for being difficult etc then I wouldn't

Original poster
Babyroobs · 27/06/2020 22:32

@welshladywhois40

To be honest - can also depend on how you left things with the last manager. If I was hiring and saw you had worked here before I would want to know why you left and would approach the last manager for a reference.

But if the last manager is known for being difficult etc then I wouldn't

Thanks. I could never ask the last manager there for a reference, she was the main cause of me becoming ill and leaving. I think that having put a complaint into HR about her, there is no way the reference could be positive.
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Original poster
Babyroobs · 27/06/2020 22:35

@killerofmen

If it helps any, a friend of mine had an awful experience with an employer and quit after 6 months. She went back to a different department and i advised against it. She loved the new job, completely different departmental culture and she's coming up to 15 years service.
Thanks Killer - That's good to hear. This role would be in a completely different department, no contact with the previous team.
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carlywurly · 27/06/2020 22:39

If it's a big company, you might be ok. I'd put feelers out first rather than waste your time.

I've re employed leavers more than once but never those who left with bad feeling. There would be no way of avoiding contact in an SME. Some names would literally make me shudder if they cropped up now.

FluffyKittensinabasket · 27/06/2020 23:13

In the civil service this isn’t a problem!

purpledagger · 28/06/2020 00:22

I don't think anyone of us can answer this question as it is organisational specific. On the one hand, your relatively short length of service could work in your favour as you probably aren't a name that anyone would remember. They may also be aware of this difficult manager, even if they didn't uphold your complaint. However, two weeks absence in a relatively short period of time doesn't demonstrate a good track record.

dontdisturbmenow · 28/06/2020 09:19

It could be that whoever shortlists and interviews you never find out about your complaint so you'd be fine. Or maybe they know that person, hates them and will see you as a hero for challenging them. Or your application will be put in the bin before it's even read.

Noone can tell you the odds of an interview, but surely, even if it's 1%, was not apply anyway? What gave you go to lose?

Darkestseasonofall · 28/06/2020 09:24

If this is NHS and you were going to a different hospital it likely wouldn't be a problem.

I don't think the issue would be that you put in a complaint, it would be that you went sick then never returned, presumably you were in breach of your contract for doing so, unless you only had a 2 week notice period of course?

If you don't want to go back to this company then don't put yourself through all of this. Look at your transferable skills and expand your job search into related roles.

Original poster
Babyroobs · 28/06/2020 14:43

@Darkestseasonofall

If this is NHS and you were going to a different hospital it likely wouldn't be a problem.

I don't think the issue would be that you put in a complaint, it would be that you went sick then never returned, presumably you were in breach of your contract for doing so, unless you only had a 2 week notice period of course?

If you don't want to go back to this company then don't put yourself through all of this. Look at your transferable skills and expand your job search into related roles.

I went off sick because I was ill and was signed off for two weeks on anti-depressants which as it turned out had horrible side effects. Whilst off sick I handed my notice in and just returned for two days to complete urgent work. I only had to give them one weeks notice as I was still in my probation period ( a few weeks short of 6 months). So no breach of contract at all, sorry should have explained I only went back for a couple of days but gave the correct notice. Considering how ill I was, no one even asked if I wanted to wait until I was a bit better to make that decision !
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Original poster
Babyroobs · 28/06/2020 14:44

@dontdisturbmenow

It could be that whoever shortlists and interviews you never find out about your complaint so you'd be fine. Or maybe they know that person, hates them and will see you as a hero for challenging them. Or your application will be put in the bin before it's even read.

Noone can tell you the odds of an interview, but surely, even if it's 1%, was not apply anyway? What gave you go to lose?

Thanks. I have applied now, I decided just to take the plunge, they can only say no can't they, I've nothing to lose.
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