Ensuring New Hires' Longevity and Prosperity: Strategies for Facilitating lasting Employee Retention
Creating Onboarding That Sticks: A Guide for Long-Term Success
Getting off on the right foot can make all the difference when it comes to welcoming new employees into your organization. Crafting an onboarding process that keeps them engaged and productive is essential for long-term success. However, creating an effective onboarding program can be trickier than it seems. A majority of companies merely tick the box, with Gallup reporting that only 12% of employees strongly agree their organization does a fantastic job onboarding new hires. But it pays off: effective onboarding can improve retention rates by 82% and skyrocket productivity by over 70%. On the other hand, poor onboarding can leave your business suffering from missed opportunities and increased costs.
The Cost of a Clumsy Onboard
New hires who bolt within the first few months can disrupt team dynamics and push up recruitment costs. These expenses can range from 50% to 200% of the departing employee's annual salary. Research from Julia Phelan, a learning design expert, shows that around 20% of new employees leave within the first 45 days, and another third depart within the first 90 days.
Mastering Onboarding: Embrace Design Thinking
When it works, onboarding transforms into a masterpiece of design thinking, tailor-made for the employee. The focus lies in the employee’s experience – the joy and excitement they felt when deciding to join your organization. Each step should be intentionally crafted to make the new addition feel they made the best decision possible.
OxBlue Corporation, a multiple award-winning top Atlanta workplace, offers insights into creating a successful onboarding program. Briana Phillips, the Director of People Operations, believes that "Onboarding is more than the first day or week, it's an ongoing process that starts with effective communication during recruitment". Her company's approach offers a blueprint for organizations aiming to improve their onboarding practices and retain top talent. Here are five key elements to create a meaningful onboarding journey:
- Preparation before the First Day
Start the onboarding process early. Keep candidates informed throughout the recruitment process, ensuring they hear from you within two business days, whatever their progress. Regular updates build trust and respect for their time. OxBlue offers candidates an interview preparation packet containing company values, CEO messages, and logistical details to build excitement before they officially join.
- Pivotal First Impressions
First impressions matter. Make sure new employees are greeted with clean workspaces, ready equipment, and a personalized welcome note. Tours of the office help familiarize new hires with their environment and colleagues, promoting a positive vibe.
- Structured Introductions
Integrating new employees into the company culture goes beyond a handshake. Meet department heads over lunch during the first month. Cross-departmental relationships and understanding the company’s broader mission will be fostered. Collaborate with ambassadors from outside departments to provide informal guidance and social integration. These aides help new employees navigate the company culture, answer questions, and build confidence.
- Clarity and Continuous Learning
Keep things simple and clear. Set realistic goals and describe responsibilities to reduce stress and boost confidence. Organize information through a phased training process to avoid overwhelming new hires. Regular check-ins at 30, 60, and 90 days ensure alignment between goals and performance.
- Milestone Celebrations
Recognizing milestones is crucial to motivation and retention. Celebrate first-anniversary employees with a personalized hard hat signed by their team. Stay interviews and anniversary check-ins provide an opportunity to refine the onboarding process based on direct feedback from employees.
Investing in a well-designed onboarding process is critical for organizational success. Phillips sums it up perfectly: “When employees feel prepared, welcomed, and valued, they’re empowered to do their best work from day one." Organizations that prioritize thoughtful, strategic onboarding can reduce turnover and cultivate a culture of engagement and loyalty. OxBlue's website underlines their philosophy: "Our people are OxBlue".
For new employees, onboarding is the foundation for their lasting impression of the employee experience. Choose wisely: poor leaders create onboarding by default, whereas great leaders intentionally design the process. Adopt the OxBlue approach to onboarding that sticks, and you'll be well-positioned to turn new hires into thriving team members.
- OxBlue Corporation, a notable Atlanta workplace, emphasizes that onboarding is more than the first day or week; it's an ongoing process that starts with effective communication during recruitment.
- A comprehensive onboarding strategy, as used by OxBlue, includes preparedness before the first day, pivotal first impressions, structured introductions, clarity and continuous learning, and milestone celebrations.
- By adopting a thoughtful, strategic onboarding approach like that of OxBlue, organizations can reduce turnover, cultivate a culture of engagement and loyalty, and transform new employees into thriving team members.
