But for many companies, it is a missed opportunity. According to a recent Gallup poll, only 12% of employees thought their employers did an incredible job of onboarding.

Benefits of Strong Employee Onboarding Practices

A successful onboarding process sets employees up for success, ensuring they have everything they need to put their best foot forward.

Strong Onboarding Practices:

• Acclimate employees to their role and the company culture
• Teach new hires about the business and the responsibilities of their position
• Keep employees safe (with safety & harassment training)
• Set the standard for conduct
• Engage employees and welcome them to the team
• Lead to faster integration and increased productivity
• Increase employee retention

5 Keys to Successful Onboarding

1. Consistency

A structured onboarding program ensures every employee receives the same message about the company’s values, culture, mission, policies, and brand. This is particularly important for companies with multiple locations and facilities.

Create detailed onboarding processes from day one, with each step mapped out, so everyone in the company knows what to expect. A special segment, such as a video from the CEO before position-specific training ensures a company-wide message.

2. User Experience

Every great onboarding process presents information in a way that is easy to digest and absorb. Avoid dumping a big pile of documents on a new hire or throwing them into a giant virtual meeting on their first day. Instead, aim for bite-sized chunks of information with the use of videos, online platforms, or interactive quizzes to add interest.

Spreading the process over a few days helps employees retain information and avoid overwhelm. Relay the info so employees can return to it quickly if they need to clarify (i.e., sequence and label emails, so documents are searchable).

3. Early Introduction to Culture

Onboarding is more than defining the expectations and duties of the position. New employees also need a vision of how they fit into the company culture. Consider assigning an informal work buddy (someone other than their direct supervisor) who will make introductions, show them the ropes, and answer questions about day-to-day operations. Little things like what to wear the first day, how people greet each other, or company-specific language, go a long way to making a new hire feel welcomed as part of the team.

4. Attention to Detail

A great welcome to the company begins with preboarding practices as soon as the employee is hired to keep them engaged and excited before they even start. Be thorough, getting into the mindset of a new hire to brainstorm everything they would want to know. Clear instructions that include parking, building access, and who to ask for will put minds at ease the first day.

5. Regular Support & Check-Ins

Onboarding is not a one-and-done event. Ongoing support from direct managers should be a top priority, with a regular schedule of check-ins. It’s also a good idea to encourage other team members to reach out and introduce themselves, letting the new hire know they are happy to answer questions.

Welcoming new employees with practical, extended onboarding processes displays trust and respect. Giving new employees the knowledge, training, and recognition they need to do their best work paves the way for employee engagement and success.