Finding an expert in a specific area might be tough. What if a former employee was part of the candidate pool? Should you consider putting him/her back on the payroll?

Susan Heathfield in her About.com Guide to Human Resources states, “I would not rehire someone I have fired. This is because I follow all of my recommended steps before I would fire someone. That means they have had every chance to improve and they are not suitable for my organization, for whatever reason.”

She goes on to say, “I’d rather train and mentor someone new. And, yes, there will be anger and resentment and the other employees will question management’s judgment if you rehire someone you fired. But, mostly, the reasons for which you fired the person have usually not gone away.”