Asked for old job back

[SVQ]

I resigned just over a year ago and have been in a new job for nearly a year now. I don't like the new job for a variety of reasons - poor management leading to bad work/life balance; quality of work, etc.

I asked for my job back recently. I spoke to somebody in management who I had worked closely with, and they said they would speak to the head of the department on my behalf.

It's now a couple of weeks later and I haven't heard back - do you think I should assume that's a no?

I would love to follow up for closure (as I think it is just good courtesy to let somebody know what the outcome of a discussion like this was) but should I bother?

Yes I would assume a no

and look elsewhere

I’d go to the head of department yourself, do you know if they have any vacancies?

Typically hearing nothing means no.

However, it's possible your colleague forgot and even if it's no it would be better to hear it explicity stated.

So my vote is definitely to chase in a way that seems appropriate to you.

Perhaps counter intuitively, firms really like to get good employees back. People who are kown to be good and have seen first hand that the grass isn't greener are good people to have.

It’s not necessarily a “no” but presumably they have filled your role and it may be complex to unpick all of that, assuming they do want you back.

I wouldn’t follow up- they know your interest and have your contact details if they want you when something is available

I am kicking myself slightly for not going to head of dept instead of this person, but oh well...

It just seems like common courtesy to convey a no, but I guess people have other priorities. It's probably also slightly awkward.

You asked someone unofficially to do you a favour

they haven’t got back to you

maybe they feel awkward. Maybe they’ve forgotten.

either way… go through formal channels if you want official responses

I don’t think you have anything to lose by making contact with the head of department - the person you spoke to may well have forgotten, or just not hit round to it yet.

What happens if the person you asked knew very unlikely that head would give you job back and so just hoped it would be forgotten about.

don’t put this person on the spot

silence is telling