Would you go back to a previous corp where the work is mediocre (but handleable) and the people/ benefits are awesome, or keep looking for a new job where you need to learn the climate again?

You are very unhappy at the current place.

Depends why I left.

If the work wasn't challenging enough, I wouldn't expect it to get better.

If the processes were mind blowing my difficult and overly manual, I wouldn't expect it to get better.

If things were ok, but I left for career progression then maybe if I left on good terms I'd find my way back.

But so far, once I walk out that door for the last time, it's always been the last time.

It depends! I had gone back to a former company once and had a good time with my coworkers when I came back, and I also learned some new stuff.

But it was only after I decided to become a self-employed freelancer, that I discovered I still love my job and what I had missed professionally.

Going back to my old employer saved me the time and nerves that I would otherwise have spent looking for a new job and preparing for application and job interviews.

I *am* at this corp.