Realizing the Significance of a Successful Employee Onboarding Experience

A successful onboarding experience sets the tone for a positive and productive relationship between the employee and the organization.

FREMONT, CA: Employers should never undervalue the significance of the onboarding process for new employees. Not only can these practices begin to acclimate people before their first day of work, but they can also significantly impact the success of that personnel.

Unfortunately, 76 percent of professionals say their organization underutilizes onboarding. This number is startling when considering the competitive advantage a great onboarding experience provides.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIENTATION AND ONBOARDING?

Numerous businesses rely on orientation and onboarding to adequately prepare and educate new workers. Although they may appear interchangeable, it is essential to highlight that they are two independent processes.

Personnel orientation: Employee orientation is a general introduction to the business and workplace. Typically, it may be done in less than a day and is likely identical for all employees. Employers use this period to ensure that new hires have completed the appropriate documentation, received the tools and technology necessary to accomplish their responsibilities, and have been briefed on corporate policies and procedures.

Employee orientation: Onboarding is a complete process through which new employees move into their new responsibilities and become an integral part of organizations. Effective onboarding programs can last up to a year. During their first few weeks or months on the job, onboarding aims to help individuals gain confidence in their new position. Onboarding may consist of many components, including—one-on-one meetings, independent development, learning modules, team-building activities, and manuals for employees or task-specific guides.

A successful and informed orientation is practical, but a positive onboarding experience lays the groundwork for a fascinating and, hopefully, a long-lasting career with firms. The sooner new employees feel welcome and equipped for their roles, the sooner they can make measurable contributions.

WHY IS ONBOARDING NEW STAFF SO IMPORTANT?

Onboarding is essential because it assists new workers in acclimating to their new work environment, assimilating into the company's culture, and becoming productive contributors. A strong onboarding experience demonstrates to employees that their work will be helpful and promote professional growth. Within the first few days, people will view their new employer as a place to progress their careers.

Employees that undergo a quality onboarding process earn new skills and autonomy. Individuals are taught not just how to do fundamental work duties but also how to create collaborative connections with other team members. These events may have a lasting impact on job satisfaction.

According to a Gallup Poll study, 70 percent of employees who reported a positive onboarding experience also described their position as "the best job available." However, only 12 percent of employees believe their organization is effective at onboarding new team members.

Far too many firms fail to properly onboard new employees and set them up for optimal performance.

HOW DO COMPANIES BENEFIT FROM A POSITIVE ONBOARDING EXPERIENCE?

Employees are not the sole beneficiaries of an effective onboarding process. Measurable results can encourage a great onboarding experience that causes employees to state they have "the best job conceivable." Among the advantages of onboarding new staff are—reduced turnover, enhanced efficiency, greater employee contentment, greater employee involvement, increased earnings, and improved standing.

The greatest way to prepare employees for a meaningful and prosperous career is to give them a solid foundation within organizations. Onboarding must be deliberate and tailored to organizations’ specific needs.