If two or more persons are entitled to reemployment in the same position, the following reemployment scheme applies: The person who first left the position has the superior right to it. The person without the superior right is entitled to employment with full seniority in any other position that provides similar status and pay in the order of priority under the reemployment scheme otherwise applicable to such person.   So your friend, who left the position first, has the right to be reemployed in the old position, while you are entitled to any other position with similar status and pay.