As aptly immortalized in Janet Jackson’s 1997 hit, it could often be said that “You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone.”
Perhaps these lyrics were running through Drew Underwood’s head when he decided to return to SciPlay. After spending five months at another employer — where the work was “quiet” and “monotonous,” he said — he returned to the gaming company, eager to step back into the energizing, dynamic workplace he had once taken for granted.
“I’m thrilled to be back in an environment that fosters collaboration and growth,” Underwood said.
Just as there are many elements that sets a company’s culture apart, there are also many reasons why professionals become boomerang employees. For Enterprise Product Advocate Jennifer Beck, it was a “genuine love for the product” that compelled her to rejoin Zello.
“We all work hard to improve our product every single day,” she added.
Meanwhile, for Staff Engineer Kevin Turner, the promise of advancing critical technology is what drew him back to ForeFlight, where he’s motivated to continue innovating alongside outstanding individuals.
“The people and the culture of ForeFlight really can’t be overlooked,” he said. “There are people here who care deeply about the product but are also truly great people away from the office as well.”
Below, Underwood, Beck and Turner further describe their reasons for returning to former employers, what they’re most excited to have back in their professional lives and the advice they would give to other companies eager to win employees back.
SciPlay is the social gaming division of global games company Light & Wonder and has created several mobile casino-inspired games, such as Jackpot Party Casino Slots and Quick Hit Slots.
What drew you back to SciPlay?
The fast-paced, engaging environment at SciPlay was what drew me back. After leaving, I quickly realized that the quiet, monotonous nature of my new job was taking a significant emotional toll. Just five months later, I decided to return to SciPlay. In hindsight, I hadn’t fully appreciated the positive and stimulating work culture until I experienced a different environment.
Thanks to my ongoing strong relationship with my manager, Fred Jammer, we were able to have a candid conversation about the team’s needs and how my skills could contribute while also meeting my professional goals. This mutual understanding solidified my decision to rejoin the team.
Since returning to SciPlay, what are you most excited to have back in your professional life?
The opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, attend industry conferences and enjoy team-building events such as happy hours is invaluable. I appreciate being a part of a larger company culture where I can build relationships across different departments, learn about various roles and contribute to the company’s overall success. The diversity of perspectives and ideas at SciPlay is truly inspiring.
“The diversity of perspectives and ideas at SciPlay is truly inspiring.”
What advice would you offer to leaders who wish to create the type of workplace that draws former employees back, and what do you think defines a truly great workplace?
Investing in company culture is paramount. While many organizations claim to have a “great culture,” this is often a vague concept without concrete actions to back it up. To truly attract former employees, leaders must go beyond lip service and dedicate resources to creating a welcoming and engaging environment. This involves planning inclusive events, fostering open communication and building a supportive community where employees feel valued and connected. By cultivating a strong sense of belonging, companies can increase the likelihood of former employees wanting to return.
A strong sense of community and belonging is the cornerstone of a truly great workplace. While work and personal life are distinct, fostering a genuine camaraderie among colleagues can significantly enhance job satisfaction and overall productivity. I believe that when employees look forward to connecting with their teammates, they’re more engaged, motivated and collaborative. This positive environment not only boosts morale, but also drives innovation and success. These are all reasons why I think SciPlay is a truly great workplace.
ForeFlight’s products are designed to make flying safer, easier and more efficient for commercial, business and military pilots.
What drew you back to ForeFlight?
During my time away from ForeFlight, I had been working at another startup. While the company, product and people there were great, funding was drying up for companies globally during the summer of 2022. As such, a round of funding wasn’t secured, and I found myself in a furloughed position. Funding was hoped for but not a guaranteed outcome.
VP of Platform Nick Downing and I had remained in contact during my time away from ForeFlight, so he knew I was in a furloughed position and approached me with the offer to come back to ForeFlight on the mapping team, working with Ray Deguio on notices to air missions. I accepted the offer in December of 2022. The decision to return was driven by my existing relationships within ForeFlight and the opportunity to work in a new role. I had a deep respect for Ray and the mapping team as a whole, which is based in Portland, Maine.
Since returning to ForeFlight, what are you most excited to have back in your professional life?
While you can blend a love for technology with a lot of different industries, the opportunity to be connected to the aviation world is the best of both worlds for me. ForeFlight is an industry-leading product that I’ve been fortunate enough to contribute to over the years. To be a part of the continued growth of the product in the future is a huge blessing. It comes with engineering challenges in maintaining legacy mission-critical technology for pilots worldwide alongside opportunities to adopt the latest technologies in visionary ways. That blend of both is truly unique.
“While you can blend a love for technology with a lot of different industries, the opportunity to be connected to the aviation world is the best of both worlds for me.”
What advice would you offer to leaders who wish to create the type of workplace that draws former employees back?
Be aware of team fit and opportunities to move within a team. In doing so, it’s possible you’ll never lose an employee. There’s a tendency to keep people in a role they’re successful contributors in or overlook the possibility of finding them a better fit elsewhere. Burnout is real even with successful employees and teams. There can be a real opportunity for the company and an employee if there’s a culture of cross-pollination of talent, like we have within ForeFlight.
One suggestion is to periodically think back over people who have left and not just from your specific team. Check in on them as new positions come available. The odds of coming back rise if they’re offered a role that’s different from what they had previously. They left for a reason, whether personal or professional, and a new returning role might be the key.
In terms of culture, I think the opportunity to grow professionally and be recognized for it is important. That growth comes more often when teammates support one another as colleagues to get the job done rather than focus on a spirit of competitiveness or self-centered goals. You’re also much more willing to put in the hard work when needed if you know you’re supported and recognized by the team around you.
Zello’s push-to-talk mobile technology enables frontline workers across various industries to stay connected during urgent situations.
What drew you back to Zello?
What brought me back to Zello, besides the people, is my genuine love for the product. It keeps me on my toes, as each of our customers has unique communication needs with countless customization options, which means I’m always learning, growing and having fun in the process. Our customers are always grateful for the service we provide, making them a true joy to work with. After experiencing various SaaS companies in my career, Zello stands out as the one product I’m genuinely excited to master and learn more about every single day.
Since returning to Zello, what are you most excited to have back in your professional life?
I'm most excited to be growing my career and skill set in such a collaborative, transparent and enjoyable environment again. During my time away, I realized how much I missed the Zello team and the environment they’ve fostered. Every person here, whether they’re an engineer or in a customer-facing role like mine, takes immense pride in their work. If I submit a feature request, it’s actually looked at and considered. It’s extremely rewarding to have the ability to make a real impact on Zello’s success instead of just being another cog in the wheel.
Working at Zello has helped me grow not just as a professional, but also as a person. We expect greatness from each other, but we also have the tools, data and resources we need to do our jobs effectively.
“Working at Zello has helped me grow not just as a professional, but also as a person.”
What advice would you offer to leaders who wish to create the type of workplace that draws former employees back?
My advice to leaders who want to create a workplace that draws former employees back is to treat your team with respect and provide opportunities for growth without micromanagement. I may not know how to run a tech company, but I understand what it means to be a loyal employee. Zello gives me clear direction on what’s expected of me as well as the freedom to accomplish my tasks without constant oversight.
Leadership holds us accountable and monitors our progress, ensuring we have the support we need when necessary. This focus on results rather than trivial things that don’t impact our bottom line is highly effective for me. Prioritize the productivity of your employees and trust them to do the job you hired them to do.
