Help - with going back to previous Employer

[Deleted User]

I know there has been a similar thread in recent days but that was being asked back and not doing the asking.

Has anyone been truly successful - are you at their mercy? (I just imagine all these people thinking about leaving being shown me as an example) how long does that take to wear off?

First of I tried to get a slightly different job (which could be seen as both either demotion or promotion) which as the easy way back and I was thinking to negate the issues which perhaps caused me to leave first time round, however HR have said now that can't happen (I can understand their decision in some ways) but what they can offer is something like my very old position back, which at first I thought no way but then slowly thinking this is the very same position I'd have been in 7 weeks ago if I asked then to go back when they didn't have vacancies so I'm trying to get past it in that sense. (I've tried 2 jobs not feeling the love, it's me so thinking I need to go back or see a career adviser but that's another day as I can't afford to be unemployed right now and would rather take the stick from ex colleagues then try yet another place where I just don't fit in)

I don't know I just now worry if they can't consider me for another role in the business then might I well be capped there anyway and the last thing I genuinely want to do is mess them around, again, having left once already.
I can understand their decision in some ways and perhaps better if it had been a no end off.

Has anybody asked to go back, then changed mind - has it messed up reference/future relations later on?

I'm a Temp currently so there was always the issue 6 months or sooner time I might possibly have needed another reference from this previous employer so I've probably bodged this up I know!

bugslet

Well FWIW when we have had staff back and bar a bit of light hearted banter for a couple of days, it genuinely has made no difference to either the employee or to me.

I don't have an issue with someone leaving, if they are a good employee then I'd rather not lose them but sometimes the grass looks greener or their personal circumstances change and I understand that.

The only time I have been miffed is when someone left, came back and then left again within a year. I wouldn't give a bad reference for that, but it might not be enthusiastic.

latvianlegend

I've done this in the past. I left an employer I'd been with for a few years, and returned after 18 months into exactly the same role. Was there for another 7 years, progressing through the organisation. 2 promotions and a professional qualification later, I left (last year) for another company, so was definitely a successful move for me, like to think it went well for them! My experience on going back was largely as above - welcomed back, little bit of banter and everyone just gets on with it.

getmore4less

I think you have to make up your mind on why you are going back.

1. temp till you find something better.
2. To try and make a good go of it.

you have done 1. already and you got it wrong,
you get once chance at 2.

go back and make a go of it,
do whatever it takes to move on internally if the job you go back to is not 100% self development, training, being great at the job, being totally positive about the company, applying for internal vacancies etc.

if that does not work and you have given it your best then it is time to accept it for what it is or move on again.

gettingtheresometime

I went back to an old employer after a 18 month gap but left after 12 months.


I was welcomed backed with open arms but found the dynamics of the team had changed.


I didn't really like the role that I had re-joined to do either.


In my case, an ex was an ex for a reason.

[Deleted User]

Thank you all, turns out I was actually very presumptuous and glad I didn't dismiss straight away, they had changed the shift patterns after I and some others left to make it a much fairer setup so that's why the old job was on the table.

I start back tomorrow after being allowed to leave the temp job at lunch time. Oh my godfathers! Time to get my job accounts deleted as recent events has really taught me lessons and I'm not wanting to repeat that again so soon.

Thank you again for time in responding, really appreciated xxx