Currently, companies are grappling with a significant amount of uncertainty. While inflation is cooling, the cost of goods and services remains high. Additionally, many employers are having to raise salaries as a means of overcoming labor shortages. Often, overcoming these rising expenses means cutting back in other areas, and for some companies, that’s caused them to cut corners when onboarding new hires.
The issue is that scaling back onboarding leads to consequences, including reductions in productivity and problems with retention. Additionally, subpar onboarding damages an employer’s reputation, which can cause recruitment struggles as well as harm retention further.
Ultimately, during challenging economic times, onboarding is an area where it’s wise to continue investing. Here’s a look at how onboarding makes a difference.
Acclimating New Hires
One of the core purposes of thorough onboarding is to acclimate new hires to the company and their position. When the onboarding process is comprehensive, incoming employees are functionally set up for success. They learn about the company’s mission and priorities, as well as how their role helps the organization achieve its goals. New hires are introduced to key team members and given time to bond, making it easier for them to forge stronger connections with their colleagues.
Additionally, comprehensive onboarding typically has training components. Whether it’s formal instruction or a more organic option, like working with an assigned buddy, they’re carefully guided as they get comfortable with their duties. Additionally, responsibilities are typically introduced strategically over time, ensuring they can gain mastery over specific tasks before adding more, creating a streamlined pathway toward full productivity.
Generating Loyalty and Engagement
Robust onboarding programs don’t just ensure that new hires can perform well in their role; it also generates loyalty and engagement. Incoming employees who participate in comprehensive onboarding are familiarized with their job, their colleagues, and the company. In turn, they often feel more valued by the organization, and they understand why their position is critical to the company’s mission.
Ultimately, that makes their work feel more meaningful, spurring an increased sense of commitment. Additionally, it can bolster morale, as employees that find their tasks meaningful often experience more job satisfaction.
Boosting Retention and Recruitment
Onboarding plays a significant role in avoiding turnover within an organization. Comprehensive onboarding is a sign of a company’s commitment to its workforce, which new hires interpret as support. Plus, it helps incoming employees navigate the unknowns of an unfamiliar workplace with greater ease and ensures they’re set up for success, leading to positive initial impressions.
Well-developed onboarding programs also generate word-of-mouth, as new hires and existing employees often share their experiences with others. As a result, that can boost a company’s reputation, making them more likely to be viewed as an employer of choice by other candidates. When that occurs, connecting with top talent becomes easier, leading to improvements when it comes to recruitment.
Are You Looking for High-Performance Onboarding Technology?
When you want to design a comprehensive onboarding program that helps your company overcome recruitment and retention challenges during difficult economic times, introducing the right technology simplifies the process. Essium offers cutting-edge onboarding solutions designed explicitly with the staffing industry in mind.
At Essium, we help recruitment agencies bridge the talent gap, engage with top talent, and enhance operations for greater efficiency, all while streamlining compliance management. Schedule a consultation call with us today!
