Numbers to remember:

• 85% of Australian workers are open to returning to their former employers, with 25% already reaching out.
• 98% of hiring managers say they are willing to rehire former employees, recognising the value of boomerang employees.
• Not all employers are welcoming back former employees, with 30% expressing concerns about loyalty and salary expectations.

First, there was the "Great Resignation," and then there was the "Great Regret." 

It started in 2021. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows that between February 2021 and February 2022, at the height of the pandemic, 1.3 million Australians resigned from their jobs, accounting for nearly 10% of the national workforce. Many left in search of greater flexibility, higher salaries, improved working conditions, and a better work-life balance. Others pursued career changes or turned side hustles into full-time jobs. However, as inflation rises and economic uncertainty persists, many now question whether they made the right decision.

But now in Australia, as in other countries, the massive trend of people leaving workplaces during the COVID-19 pandemic has reversed itself.

Driven by economic factors (inflation and stagnant wages), social changes (social security benefits and a return to on-site work in many companies) and psychological factors (the effect of isolation on mental health), more Australian workers are open to returning to their pre-pandemic employers.

A report by recruitment firm Robert Walters revealed that 85% of Australian workers are open to rejoining their former employers, with 25% having already reached out.

"The Great Resignation has led to much regret among employees seeking new opportunities," said Jeff Williams, vice president of enterprise and HR solutions at Paychex. Their survey found that 80% of respondents regretted leaving their jobs, with many missing workplace camaraderie and professional networks. Moreover, only 54% of those surveyed reported improved mental health, and just 43% achieved the work-life balance they had sought.

For some, frustrations with heavy workloads, difficult workplace cultures, and demanding employers have since been reassessed as temporary side effects of the pandemic. The long hours, overnight emails, and salary reductions that pushed employees to resign have largely diminished as businesses adjust to post-pandemic operations. With hybrid work arrangements now more common, many workers are discovering that their previous jobs may have been more sustainable than they initially believed.

But are companies willing to rehire?

While many employees regret leaving, the question remains: are their former employers willing to take them back? The answer is both encouraging and complex.

Another 2024 survey by Robert Walters found that 98% of hiring managers would consider rehiring former staff. This is a huge increase from 2022, when an AHRI survey put the number at 76%.

Employers recognise the benefits of bringing back "boomerang employees"—workers already familiar with company culture and processes, reducing onboarding time and training costs. "These individuals have demonstrated a vested interest in the brand," said Shay Peters, CEO of Robert Walters ANZ. 

However, not all companies are eager to welcome back former staff. About 30% of employers surveyed expressed reluctance to rehire those who resigned during the Great Resignation. Concerns about loyalty, expected salary increases, and the motivation behind an employee’s return contribute to this hesitation. Some organisations worry about setting a precedent where employees feel they can leave and return at will, potentially undermining workforce stability.

Despite these concerns, many employers—particularly in industries facing talent shortages—are actively encouraging former employees to return. Medium-sized businesses, in particular, are leading rehiring initiatives, seeing the value in bringing back experienced staff.

Employee priorities and employer policies are changing

As workers reassess their decisions, employers are also adapting their policies, particularly regarding remote and hybrid work arrangements. ABS data shows that flexible work remains popular, with 36% of Australians working remotely at the end of 2024 (a decrease from 40% in 2021 but still higher than pre-pandemic levels). And the need to care for children is a key factor in availability to work for both women (58%) and men (43%).

But many companies have mandated a return to the office.

Companies such as Amazon, Tabcorp, and NAB have introduced new policies requiring employees to work on-site for most or all of their workweek. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announced that starting in January 2025, employees must return to the office five days a week, emphasizing the benefits of in-person collaboration, culture, and learning. Meanwhile, NSW Premier Chris Minns ordered public service workers to return full-time, arguing that remote work should no longer be an automatic entitlement.

Some employers, such as Mineral Resources, have taken even stricter measures, banning remote work entirely since 2023. CEO Chris Ellison even installed a gym and restaurant at the company's Perth headquarters to encourage employees to stay in the office longer. Other major Australian companies, including the Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, and Westpac, have also implemented policies requiring employees to spend at least 50% of their time in the office.