Originally Posted by anotherthing
Very few companies will provide all of the above in the first paragraph, then quite happily let you swan off when you want to work somewhere else and allow you to return at your convenience!!
Ah, but some companies might value the experience that their staff member has gained elsewhere and try and benefit from it. They might also recognise that the individual is of known quality (having validated before). Or imagine that the staff member is more rounded, has seen how another employer works (and still wants to come back) and appreciate that the individual will recognise the good things that are provided....be qualified quickly and may stay longer this time.
Perhaps, though, the company doesn't believe that they can learn anything from 'outside'. Perhaps they are concerned that good ideas learned elsewhere might in some way upset the status quo.
Strangely, I believe that some of the best performing companies in the world actually encourage some of their staff to get a wider view of the world and then come back to a more responsible job. Why, some even have formal exchange and secondment schemes.
Gonzo mentioned that only 46 big companies put themselves forward for assessment in this To 20 table that gets bandied around so much. Perhaps all the other big companies are too busy giving their staff opportunities to develop themselves and making use of the skills that their employees have to waste time on self-aggrandisement.