While employers usually give new hires a nice cushion of time to get used to their new surroundings, new employees aren’t likely to return the favor.
According to a 2008 study, 90% of new hires decide within six months whether or not they’re going to stay put.
And if you’re like most companies, healthy bonuses and performance-based incentives just aren’t viable options right now.
So now may be the time to ramp-up your onboarding practices. According to the same 2008 study, successful onboarding of employees in their first year increases engagement, boosts performance and raises retention by as much as 25%.
Like the name suggests, onboarding refers to the process of getting new employees “on board” and performing at full capacity — as quickly as possible.
While the process will differ greatly from company to company, the most successful onboarding practitioners are able to:
- Help the new employee identify with his or her employer
- Create a positive, optimistic attitude toward the company in the employee’s eyes
- Avoid misunderstandings
- Foster a sense of belonging for the employee
- Set-up realistic performance expectations for the new employee, and
- Cut down on the learning curve.