The onboarding process plays a major role in strengthening the connection between the company and new employees. It’s not just about sharing information; it serves multiple objectives aimed at helping the new team member integrate seamlessly into the organization, understand their tasks, and become as efficient as possible. Onboarding is, therefore, a complex process designed to familiarize employees with the company culture, make them feel part of the project, and recognize their value as a key resource within the organization. These elements foster employee engagement, improve workplace performance, and help them grasp the dynamics and professional objectives of the company. Here are some essential aspects and key trends for 2024 to ensure a successful onboarding process:
- Training and access to relevant information
Onboarding is where new employees form their first impression of the company. This process can greatly impact the relationship between the organization and its new members. According to Code of Talent, a solid onboarding process can boost employee retention by 52%. Additionally, effective onboarding leads to 18 times higher employee engagement, and productivity can increase by 60%. In recent years, onboarding practices have evolved, and one of the modern solutions is microlearning. L&D teams can offer training programs tailored to the company’s needs, delivered in concise, effective modules. The advantage is that employees can access these learning courses online, allowing them to study at their own pace. These training sessions are adapted to their professional level, providing them with new, relevant information specific to their field. Depending on the company’s objectives, through microlearning platforms, employees gain access to learning modules in areas like business, sales, and other professional fields, giving them the necessary skills to adapt to the workflow.
- Clarity around tasks
From the start, employees need a clear understanding of their job description. This helps them know exactly what they need to do, providing clarity around their responsibilities and aligning their performance with company expectations. With this in mind, employees are kept informed about their role’s objectives and their contribution to the team and company’s success.
- Assigning a peer or manager for support
As part of the integration plan, the company can assign a responsible person to offer support to the new team member. This could be the team manager or a colleague, who can answer questions and provide essential information, helping remove potential roadblocks. This approach makes the adaptation process much smoother.
- Access to company communication channels
Getting familiar with the company’s communication tools and channels is a key step in onboarding. Employees need to be part of the company’s communication flow, have access to updates, and maintain constant interaction with teammates or team leaders.
- Involvement of leaders and team managers
A good manager knows how to build relationships within the team, and a well-coordinated team leads to better work performance and product development. The leader should be aware of team members’ needs, scheduling regular meetings to offer support and address any concerns.
- Recognizing and rewarding professional achievements
Professional recognition is always appreciated in the workplace. It boosts employee motivation and makes them feel like an essential part of the company’s success. Setting goals and offering rewards for completed tasks can effectively incentivize performance.
- Consistently request feedback
Onboarding success can be greatly improved through regular feedback. It’s recommended to seek feedback both during the initial onboarding phase and after several weeks or months, as noted by Indeed.com. This helps ensure that all integration efforts and key information have been effectively communicated and that the new employee is fully prepared for their responsibilities.
