Onboarding is an important process in organizations, often misunderstood and undervalued. It goes beyond filling out paperwork and policy review. A well-executed onboarding process sets the tone for a new hire’s entire journey, as they only have one chance to make a first impression.
Misconceptions about Onboarding
Many companies mistake onboarding for orientation, which is a one-time event similar to the first day of school. Onboarding is a gradual process where individuals learn the ropes, build relationships, and feel part of the school community.
1. Paperwork & policies
Companies often simplify onboarding into administrative tasks like filling out forms, reviewing policies, and conducting an office tour, neglecting the importance of truly integrating new hires into the company culture and teams.
2. Rushed process
Rushing through onboarding is a common mistake, as it should be a structured, ongoing process that extends beyond the first week, focusing on setting new hires up for long-term success.
3. Neglecting personal connection
Many onboarding programs overlook the human element, neglecting the importance of building relationships and providing continuous support to new employees.
Onboarding: Beyond the Scope of HR
Many companies mistakenly assign HR responsibility for onboarding, ignoring the need for involvement from various organizational parts for effective onboarding.
1. Team effort
Effective onboarding is a team effort, involving HR, managers, team members, IT staff, and fellow new hires. It’s similar to planning a successful event, requiring active participation from all departments.
2. Involvement of managers and teams
Managers and team members play a crucial role in the onboarding process, facilitating smooth integration of new hires into roles and company culture, unlike a school principal who handles everything on the first day.
Why Is Proper Onboarding Important
Proper onboarding is not just a procedural requirement; it offers strategic benefits, significantly enhancing various organizational aspects when executed correctly.
1. First impressions matter
The onboarding experience for new employees significantly impacts their initial impression of the company, boosting their confidence and commitment, similar to how a positive interaction forms a lasting impression.
2. Employee retention
Effective onboarding leads to higher retention rates, as new employee turnover can be high, with 20% in the first 45 days and one-third leaving within the first 90 days. Ensuring employees feel welcomed, informed, and supported from the start is crucial to prevent dropouts.
3. Cost of recruitment and turnover
Companies invest heavily in recruitment, but a poorly executed onboarding process can lead to lost investment. This is similar to pre-sales activities, such as product explanation and demonstrations. If after-sales service is inadequate, customers are unlikely to remain loyal, resulting in a loss of time and resources spent on acquiring customers.
4. Productivity and performance
A well-structured onboarding process boosts a new hire’s productivity by providing clarity on roles, company expectations, and resources, similar to better performance in students with a clear syllabus and supportive teachers.
5. Engagement and satisfaction
Onboarding significantly boosts employee engagement and job satisfaction by fostering a sense of belonging and motivation among employees.
Investing in a comprehensive onboarding process can lead to long-term benefits for companies. By viewing it as a strategic initiative, companies can ensure new hires feel welcomed, valued, and prepared for success.
Proper onboarding helps new hires feel valued and supported, which is crucial for engagement and retention. Combining a well-planned onboarding program with a structured training regimen is essential for fostering long-term employee success and organizational growth.
Read also: How AI Is Changing The World Of Recruitment
Tools like Jouku, an end-to-end talent acquisition platform, can streamline the onboarding process by simplifying the tasks of finding, engaging, hiring, and onboarding the right people for your team.
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