Going back to an old company - how does this look to future hiring managers?

[Username348]

How does this look? I was made redundant after mat leave from an awful role with horrible management, ended up with a settlement and having to sign a NDA. It was INCREDIBLY toxic and blatant maternity discrimination and it really affected my MH as it was sustained over a number of years/losses.

So I went back to somewhere I’d worked before and been happy, who had said if I ever needed to come back even if it was temporary between roles they’d find me something. The new role was a step back to a “assistant” but up from the one I had previously held with them. The company is a bit rubbish, but the people are so lovely and I’ve been really happy there for 4 years.

Loads of flexibility, working part time. But a 10k (FTE) pay cut but I was happy and had no plan to leave. Sadly our office is closing and work is being offshored. How will this look to future employers, returning to an old company, taking a taking a step back. To be honest I think I’m looking for something a similar level to now because I really want to be part time, I have young kids and and I just don’t think the step up exists part time

You left a job because of redundancy, that is the reason you give. You found work quickly using contacts you had, showing initiative in doing so. Unfortunately the office now is closing.

Any employer who looked down on that would have me questioning whether that is a good place to work.

Thanks, I’m overthinking it aren’t I.

I would expect it to look positive to prospective employers - an old employer was happy to employ you again after you’d left. If anything, it’s stronger than a reference from them. The step down is completely understandable after redundancy.

I've had similar, a bit different though.

I'm sorry you had a toxic workplace. I had one and its absolute torture.

I temped for a year before the role stopped. The manager said similar, he'd love to have me back when they could recruit and after 18mths I returned. Initially as a temp, but quickly moved up the ranks to a permanent role and was there 8yrs earning a very decent wage.

The company became unstable and my role was redundant. I keep repeating to myself, in prep for interviews:
'My ROLE was made redundant'

Rather the way I felt, which was that I/Me was made redundant 🙁
I got another job, but took a £20,000 pay cut.

It depends on your role, but during my next interviews, I was never asked why I was in a lower paying role (they wouldn't have known my exact pay for those roles anyway) nor did they ask about the redundancy. You can obviously say that the company moved off shore. You could start a separate thread with more info about your experience and area and we might have ideas to help for flexible job roles x

It’s an unspoken reference, I.e. you were great the first time you worked there, so they were delighted to have you back.

First time I worked at one employer was when I was much more junior. By the time I went back there after a 5 year break working for other companies, I was a Director.

It looks great, they wanted you back.

Thanks everyone, a recruiter I spoke to when I was made redundant (or my role was) the first time was negative about it, when I said I’d decided to go back to where I’d been, but it felt right for me and I didn’t plan to leave! So now I’m back looking for jobs I just felt nervous. Feeling more posited now :)