5 Tips for Onboarding to Keep Employees on Board

A recent study from BambooHR found that on average, organizations have 44 days to convince a new hire to stay. But here’s what should concern employers even more: almost half of employees regret accepting their job offer within the first week of work.

The adage “you never get a second chance to make a first impression” is fitting in this case, given that most of the employees surveyed said their first impressions of their company never changed.

How can organizations avoid – or reverse – this disturbing trend? The key to success is providing each employee – from leadership to direct contributor – with an exceptional onboarding experience.

Below are 5 key elements of a successful employee onboarding process.

1. Clear Communication: Clearly communicate job roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations from the start. Set achievable goals and milestones and provide ongoing feedback and support.
2. Comprehensive Training and Development: Provide comprehensive training that equips new employees with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their roles. Offer ongoing development opportunities to foster continuous learning and growth.
3. Cultural Integration and Engagement: Help new employees understand and embrace the company's culture, values, and mission. Facilitate opportunities for employees to engage with their colleagues, teams, and the organization as a whole.
4. Mentorship and Support: Establish mentorship programs to pair new hires with experienced employees or mentors. Encourage open communication and provide a support system for new employees to address questions and concerns.
5. Feedback and Continuous Improvement: Regularly seek feedback from new employees about their onboarding experience and overall job satisfaction. Use this feedback to make continuous improvements to the onboarding process, demonstrating the organization's commitment to employee success and well-being.

These strategies take your onboarding process beyond simply acclimating new hires to their roles; they also foster a sense of belonging, engagement, and loyalty, ultimately contributing to higher employee retention rates.

OMNI can partner with you to design the right employee onboarding process for your organization. Contact us here for a free consultation about how we can help.

Jennifer Gross-Statler came to OMNI with 20 years of experiences in community and media relations, marketing and branding, project management, and strategic planning, gained through her work in several nonprofit leadership roles. Her background includes 8 years as Executive Director and Associate Director of a Connecticut nonprofit with a state mandate to evaluate state-funded mental health programs, assess strengths and unmet needs, and make recommendations for improvements. While in that role, she led numerous grassroots efforts to improved state-funded mental health services and t9 protect funding for her organization and others. Her public policy and advocacy trainings, delivered to hundreds of community volunteers, strong storytelling skills, the relationships she developed with legislators and media professionals instrumental to her success.