The hiring process is not easy. Finding the person with the right skills for the job and the right fit for your culture can take a lot of time and effort. So, once the offer is made and accepted, you might breathe a deep sigh of relief. But wait; you aren’t done yet. Effective onboarding can make the difference between a rising star or a revolving door.
Warm Welcome vs Cold Shoulder
Do you have an established onboarding process for new team members? It’s surprising how many businesses don’t. And even those that do are often not effective; studies show that about 20 percent of new hires leave within the first 45 days.
Beyond attracting the best and brightest to your company, you want them to stay. That’s why it’s key to make new employees feel welcome and supported in their new environment from day one. At a minimum, this should include:
- Introductions to co-workers
- A tour of your facility, including essentials like restrooms, dining/break areas, supply closets and key departments
- Workspaces that are set up and ready for use
- Meetings with direct supervisors to review roles and expectations
- Introductory meetings with key colleagues and senior leaders
- A review of your employee handbook, focusing on both policies and culture
- Necessary training in key programs and systems
- Regular check-ins to gauge progress, address any early challenges and provide support
Success, Not Distress
Depending on the person, it could take up to a year for them to be fully acclimated to your culture, their role, and the relationships with their teams and peers. Effective onboarding results in higher employee retention, satisfaction and job performance, and reduced staff turnover and frustration.
The old “sink or swim” mentality will only cause you to spend more time and money on recruitment. When you factor in your cost-per-hire, in addition to the potential cost of turnover in that role, it can be crippling to a business. Additionally, poor onboarding practices will directly contribute to disengaged employees. Research shows that disengaged employees cost businesses between $4 to 5 billion annually. It is clear that a solid onboarding plan also benefits your bottom line.
Every company is different, so your onboarding process will be unique to you. If you’re not sure where to start, or where you may have gone wrong, we can help. We’ll assess your current process and work with you to develop an impactful experience that will have your new employees feeling welcomed and inspired from their first day. Contact us to get started.