Boomerang Employees: Why Do Some Professionals Return to a Former Workplace?

The latest episode of the Unmute All podcast explores a unique phenomenon: why do some professionals choose to return to a workplace they previously left? Guests Ferenc Fenyvesi and Csaba Fábián share their personal stories about what motivated them to leave, what experiences they gained elsewhere, and why they ultimately decided to rejoin Deutsche Telekom IT Solutions.

Csaba Fábián: From Helicopter Simulators to the Cloud

Csaba began working as a system administrator in 2008. A few years later, he received an irresistible offer to join a company developing realistic helicopter simulators. The job was exciting at first, but due to an internal conflict, he had to leave. Although he had the option to stay within another project, he ultimately decided to return to us, where a stable environment and familiar team awaited him.

During his second tenure, he took on a higher-level role before transitioning to a major international cloud project. His growing interest in cloud technologies led him to seek new challenges, prompting another job change. However, after two years of external experience, he felt that the skills and work environment he had at Deutsche Telekom IT Solutions better aligned with his long-term professional goals. As a result, he returned once more, this time as a DevOps and Site Reliability Engineer.

Ferenc Fenyvesi: Building a Career in Multiple Directions

Ferenc joined the company in 2013, initially as an application manager before becoming a team lead. One of his significant projects involved developing an internal corporate communication platform. After several years, he took a remote work opportunity abroad, which was initially meant to last six months but extended to two years.

Following that, he worked at two Hungarian companies, but neither proved to be a long-term fit. At one company, financial difficulties led to the sudden dissolution of his entire team. At another, the organizational culture did not meet his expectations. These experiences eventually led him back to Deutsche Telekom IT Solutions, where he rejoined the team in June 2023.

Why Do Employees Return to a Former Workplace?

Both guests emphasized that returning to Deutsche Telekom IT Solutions is often driven by the work environment, colleagues, and company culture. While every organization faces challenges, transparent processes, professional growth opportunities, and fair leadership are all crucial factors for employees.

Another key aspect is professional autonomy. The guests noted that having a say in processes and not just acting as executors within a rigid system makes a significant difference. The ability to plan work in three-month cycles, influence decisions, and maintain flexibility are all factors that contribute to long-term job satisfaction.

Returning with a New Perspective

Returning to a previous workplace does not mean stepping back into the same role. The environment, teams, and expectations evolve. Both guests highlighted that while they encountered familiar faces, they took on entirely new responsibilities that came with fresh challenges and learning opportunities. Organizational changes, new work methodologies, and professional development prospects all played a role in making their return a meaningful decision.

Conclusion

The podcast episode highlighted that for many professionals, leaving a company is not a final decision but part of a learning process. The experiences of returning employees demonstrate that a good workplace is defined not just by the current project or salary but also by its culture, collaboration opportunities, and professional challenges.

The stories reveal that stepping away from a company often provides new perspectives and experiences that help employees appreciate the benefits they may have taken for granted. Returning is not a step backward but a conscious decision that supports long-term professional growth and job satisfaction.

Listen to the episode here (Hungarian): https://www.deutschetelekomitsolutions.hu/podcasts/mire-jo-ha-bumerangnak-erezheted-magad/