We wrap up the best benefits of onboarding we can find for businesses and employees alike.
Did you know that 76% of HR professionals believe that onboarding is underutilised in their company?
Related: Onboarding statistics
When the UK economy reports losing £340 billion ($408 billion) because of disengaged employees every year, we can’t say we’re particularly surprised.
But what else do you stand to gain by implementing a solid onboarding experience?
In this blog we’ll run through:
- What onboarding is
- What the benefits of onboarding are for a business
- What the benefits of onboarding are for an employee
- And the benefits of onboarding software
Let’s get started.
What is onboarding?
Onboarding is the process of integrating new employees into an organisation, helping them get acclimated to their roles, the company culture, and their team.
It involves providing the necessary resources, training, and support to ensure that new hires feel prepared, confident, and welcomed as they start their journey with the company.
Related: Complete guide to the onboarding process
The onboarding process typically includes several stages, such as:
Pre-boarding
Preboarding is the phase that occurs before a new employee’s first day at work.
It involves completing essential administrative tasks, such as filling out paperwork, setting up accounts and workstations, and providing initial information about the company and role.
This helps new hires feel prepared and excited before they officially start.
Orientation
Usually held on the first day or within the first week, orientation introduces new employees to the organisation, its mission, values, policies, and procedures.
It may also include a tour of the workplace and introductions to team members and key personnel.
Training and development
During this stage, new hires receive job-specific training to understand their responsibilities and develop the skills needed for their role.
This can include hands-on training, shadowing experienced colleagues, and participating in workshops or courses.
Integration
This ongoing stage focuses on helping new employees integrate into the company culture and build relationships with colleagues.
It involves regular check-ins, feedback sessions, and opportunities for socialisation and networking.
🎯 Pro Tip
Want more information on the stages of onboarding? We wrap it up from pre to post onboarding with our complete guide to the onboarding process.
The overall goal of onboarding is to ensure that new employees feel welcomed, supported, and well-prepared to succeed in their new roles, which can lead to increased job satisfaction, higher productivity, and better retention rates.
What are the benefits of onboarding?
Onboarding is a crucial process for both businesses and employees as it lays the foundation for a successful working relationship.
Related: Onboarding best practices for employee success
Here are the key benefits of onboarding for a business and for an employee:
What are the benefits of onboarding for a business?
For businesses, onboarding is a critical process that goes beyond merely introducing new hires to their roles.
It sets the tone for the employee’s journey within the company and directly impacts their engagement, productivity, and retention.
By providing a structured and supportive onboarding experience, companies can cultivate a positive work environment that aligns with their goals and values, ultimately driving long-term success and reducing operational costs.
Increased employee retention
A well-structured onboarding process helps new hires feel welcomed and supported, reducing the likelihood of early turnover.
Employees who feel connected to the company culture and understand their roles are more likely to stay longer.
Improved employee engagement
Onboarding introduces new hires to the company’s mission, values, and culture, fostering a sense of belonging and engagement.
Engaged employees are more motivated, productive, and willing to go the extra mile.
Faster time to productivity
A comprehensive onboarding program provides new employees with the necessary tools, resources, and training to perform their jobs effectively.
This reduces the time it takes for them to reach full productivity.
Consistency in training
Onboarding ensures that all new employees receive consistent information about the company, its processes, and expectations. This helps maintain quality and consistency across the organisation.
Reduced costs
Effective onboarding reduces the costs associated with turnover and recruitment.
By investing in onboarding, businesses save money in the long run by minimising the need to repeatedly hire and train new employees.
Better alignment with company goals
Onboarding helps new hires understand the company’s goals and how their roles contribute to achieving them.
This alignment ensures that employees are working towards the same objectives as the business.
Stronger company culture
Onboarding is an opportunity to immerse new employees in the company culture, which strengthens organisational identity and promotes a unified work environment.
Enhanced employer brand
A positive onboarding experience can enhance the company’s reputation as a great place to work, attracting top talent and helping the company stand out in a competitive job market.
What are the benefits of onboarding for an employee
For employees, the onboarding process is their first real taste of a new workplace.
It provides an invaluable opportunity to acclimate to the company culture, understand their responsibilities, and build essential relationships.
A comprehensive onboarding experience equips new hires with the confidence, resources, and support they need to thrive in their roles, paving the way for a fulfilling and successful career with the organisation.
Clear understanding of role and expectations
Onboarding helps new employees understand their job responsibilities, performance expectations, and how their work contributes to the overall success of the company.
Familiarity with company culture and value
Through onboarding, employees learn about the company’s culture, values, and norms, which helps them integrate smoothly and feel a sense of belonging.
Access to resources and support
New hires are provided with the necessary resources, tools, and contacts to perform their job effectively.
This support network is crucial for their initial success and confidence.
Building relationships and networking
Onboarding often includes introductions to team members, managers, and other departments, helping new employees build a network within the company that can support them professionally.
Increased confidence and job satisfaction
A thorough onboarding process equips employees with the knowledge and skills they need, boosting their confidence and job satisfaction.
This positive start can lead to a more fulfilling career at the company.
Reduced anxiety and stress
Starting a new job can be stressful.
Onboarding helps reduce anxiety by providing a structured environment where new hires know what to expect and where to find help.
Opportunities for early feedback
Onboarding often includes initial check-ins and feedback sessions, allowing new employees to understand how they are performing and where they can improve early on.
Career development and growth
A good onboarding process introduces employees to potential career paths within the company and the opportunities for development and growth, encouraging long-term career planning.
Benefits of onboarding software
Onboarding software offers a range of benefits for both businesses and new employees by streamlining and enhancing the onboarding process.
Related: Our top picks for onboarding software
Here are the key benefits of using onboarding software:
Improved efficiency and automation
Onboarding software automates repetitive tasks such as filling out forms, distributing documents, and scheduling meetings, saving time and reducing administrative burdens.
This allows HR teams to focus on more strategic activities, such as employee engagement and retention.
Consistent onboarding experience
The software ensures a standardised onboarding process for all new hires, providing each employee with the same information, resources, and training.
This consistency helps maintain quality across the organisation and ensures that all new employees receive a comprehensive introduction to the company.
Enhanced compliance and record keeping
Onboarding software helps businesses stay compliant with legal and regulatory requirements by ensuring that all necessary documents and forms are completed and stored securely.
It also simplifies record-keeping, making it easy to access and audit employee information when needed.
Faster time to productivity
By providing easy access to training materials, company policies, and resources, onboarding software helps new hires quickly get up to speed and become productive members of the team.
Interactive and self-paced learning modules can further accelerate this process.
Personalized onboarding experience
Many onboarding platforms allow for customisation, enabling companies to tailor the onboarding experience to the specific needs of different roles or departments.
This personalisation helps new employees feel more valued and better prepared for their unique responsibilities.
Improved communication and engagement
Onboarding software often includes features such as task tracking, checklists, and communication tools that facilitate seamless interaction between new hires, HR, and managers.
Related: What to include in your onboarding checklists
These tools help keep everyone informed and engaged throughout the onboarding process.
Access to analytics and insights
The software can provide valuable data and insights into the onboarding process, such as completion rates, time spent on different tasks, and feedback from new hires.
These analytics allow HR teams to identify areas for improvement and optimise the onboarding process for future employees.
Remote and hybrid work support
Onboarding software is particularly beneficial for remote and hybrid work environments, providing new employees with virtual access to everything they need, regardless of their location.
This ensures a smooth onboarding experience even when employees are not physically present in the office.
Scalability
As companies grow, onboarding software can easily scale to accommodate a larger number of new hires without significant additional resources.
This scalability makes it an ideal solution for businesses experiencing rapid growth or seasonal hiring spikes.
Enhanced new hire experience
Onboarding software helps create a positive first impression by providing a well-organised, efficient, and user-friendly onboarding experience.
This can improve job satisfaction, reduce anxiety, and set the tone for a positive working relationship from day one.
Start onboarding with BuildEmpire
We’re platinum partners of Totara, meaning we can help you build and set up one of the best learning platforms out there.
Creating a solid onboarding process is best done with a platform that can meet your needs.
Want to see our platform in action? See how our team can help you create an environment that will make your new starters want to stick around.
Book a demo to get started.
FAQs
What is the main purpose of onboarding?
The goal of onboarding is to ensure new employees have all the resources they need to do their jobs well.
What are the key benefits of onboarding?
Effective onboarding offers numerous benefits for both the employee and the organisation. These include increased employee engagement, higher retention rates, improved productivity, and a stronger company culture. Onboarding also helps new hires feel more confident and competent in their roles, leading to faster time to productivity.
What should I include in my onboarding process checklist?
Check out our employee onboarding checklist for an easy breakdown of what to cover when you’ve got a new hire.