Guide to Onboarding – Part 2

This post is Part 2 of a series on Onboarding detailing the benefits resulting from a well-planned and effectively implemented Onboarding Process. Check out Guide to Onboarding – Part 1 for  practical Onboarding suggestions that will take you from day 1 to day 180. Image Source

You have all of the proper elements in place and your onboarding program is ready to go. Now what can you expect?

After reviewing our onboarding recommendations explained in last week’s article, you may be saying to yourself “this seems like a lot of work. Why is all this necessary?” Well, you have probably heard the old adage ‘you only have one chance to make a first impression.’ This is especially true to organizations when bringing on a new employee. While you are evaluating your new hire to monitor progress, initiative and internal fit, they are also evaluating your organization and determining if it is actually a place where they would like to work. Does the job match what was promised to them in the interview? Are they getting quick and constant feedback to know whether or not they are meeting expectations? Is the team welcoming and helpful? Have they been set up for success?

An organization that implements a well-planned and highly structured onboarding process will reap huge benefits! Listed below are five outcomes you can expect after investing in the onboarding of new employees:

1. Retention – No matter what industry you are in and no matter the size of the organization, it has been proven across the board that onboarding has a positive direct effect on the length of time a new hire stays with your organization. Some organizations have reported increases in their retention metrics of up to 25%. An employee who has been provided with a planned, intentional onboarding process is more likely to be engaged in their work, oriented to their organization and co-workers,  feel challenged in their role, and believe they are contributing value to your team’s bottom line. Employees like these are less likely to look for opportunities outside of your organization and more likely to seek out internal opportunities to add more value.
2. Commitment to your Organization – Seeing that you are invested in their development and future, and understanding where they fit within your organization helps a new employee feel a sense of belonging. Having a formalized onboarding process in place ensures that all new employees receive the same training opportunities and investment, and it becomes a strong proponent of your organizational culture. A healthy workplace goes a long way to increase loyalty and commitment amongst your employee base.
3. Job Satisfaction – New hires who are given a clear picture of their job duties and responsibilities and have a deep understanding of your organization are much more likely to feel successful in their role. They are easily able to relate their own contributions to your business goals, objectives and strategies and will ultimately feel like valued members of the team.
4. Performance – An extensive onboarding process is informative and educational for new hires. Employees who are well educated about your organization will be able to make informed decisions on the job and will also be more motivated to add value. Through the orientation process, new hires can better understand their roles, allowing them to perform at their full potential. A well oriented employee will be clear on their responsibilities and free to perform efficiently without confusion.
5. Connection between Employees and Managers – Having the manager actively involved in an employee’s orientation and onboarding enables the relationship to start out on the right foot. By encouraging an open environment, setting expectations on both sides and showing an interest in their employee’s career development, the manager will help the new hire feel valued and comfortable enough to approach them with any concerns or requests for help. Additionally, when your employees and managers are connected on this level it will encourage a healthy culture and a happy workplace.

The first days of employment for your new employees can be chaotic, busy and exhausting. Taking the time to invest in a well thought-out onboarding process goes a long way to reduce the chaos and truly welcome a new employee to the team. The effort, time and resources that you invest will be rewarded with commitment, loyalty and a strong work ethic.