Today's economy and changing work environment have many employers thinking outside the box in their search for talented workers. So-called "boomerang employees" who previously worked for a company are an increasingly viable option.

"Gone are the days when boomerang employees carried the stigma of disloyalty," according to a new Visier Insights Report. "In times of grave talent shortages, rehires are on the rise and considered an untapped source of talent for organizations. Our data suggests that today's boomerang employees, [who] typically return to their previous employers after around one year away, [arrive] re-energized, armed with new skills, and ready to renegotiate their terms."

Rehiring employees who previously left voluntarily can benefit both parties. The hiring process for boomerang employees can be more cost-effective: Companies can save on recruitment costs; reduce on-boarding and training times; and, at the same time, benefit from the employee's newly gained external knowledge as well as their existing institutional knowledge based on their history with the company. For employees returning to a known employer with a promotion and pay increase, working in a familiar work environment can be both comforting and motivating.