How to Create an Onboarding Plan that Engages and Retains New Hires
Creating a comprehensive onboarding plan is essential for engaging and retaining new hires. Onboarding is the process of integrating new employees into an organization and helping them become productive team members. A well-designed onboarding plan can help new hires feel welcome, reduce turnover rates, and improve overall employee satisfaction.
We'll discuss how to create an onboarding plan shortly. Before that, let's understand how you can access your current onboarding process so that you move ahead on the right path.
Assess your existing onboarding process.
Before creating a new onboarding plan, it's important to assess your current process. Here is how you can do it.
Step 1: Determine the person responsible for onboarding.
Identify who is in charge of onboarding new hires in your organization. This could be your HR department or a designated onboarding specialist.
Step 2: Review the existing onboarding process.
Once you have identified the person responsible for onboarding, request a copy of the existing onboarding process. This may be in the form of a written document or a flowchart.
If your organization doesn't have a formal onboarding process, ask for a description of the steps typically taken when a new employee is hired.
Step 3: Evaluate the onboarding process
Review the onboarding process to assess its effectiveness. Consider the following questions:
Is the onboarding process clear and easy to follow?
Does the process provide new hires with the necessary information and resources they need to be successful in their new role?
Are there any gaps or areas where the process could be improved?
Step 4: Seek feedback from current employees
Gather feedback from current employees who have gone through the onboarding process. This can be done through surveys, focus groups, or one-on-one interviews.
Ask them about their experience with onboarding and whether they felt adequately prepared for their new role.
Step 5: Take action to improve the onboarding process
Based on your evaluation and feedback from current employees, identify areas where the onboarding process can be improved. This may include updating existing materials, adding new resources, or changing the process entirely.
Once you have identified areas for improvement, work with the person responsible for onboarding to implement these changes.
How to create an onboarding plan
Once you've assessed your current onboarding process, it's time to create a new plan that engages and retains new hires.
Here are some tips for designing an engaging onboarding plan:
Pre-boarding activities: Start engaging new hires before their first day by sending them welcome emails, providing them with important information about the company, and connecting them with their team members.
Orientation: The first few days on the job can be overwhelming for new hires. To ease their transition, provide a comprehensive orientation that covers the company's mission, vision, and values, as well as job-specific training.
Ongoing support: The onboarding process doesn't end after the first week. Provide ongoing support through mentorship programs, regular check-ins, and opportunities for growth and development.
Engagement activities: Create engaging activities that help new hires feel welcome and connected to the company. For example, you can organize a team lunch, a virtual game night, or a welcome package with company swag.
Clear communication: Communicate expectations, goals, and feedback channels to new hires. Ensure that they understand their roles and responsibilities and have the necessary resources to succeed.
In addition to a smooth and effective onboarding experience, you can also ensure your new as well as old employees are happy with your culture and retain longer. The following are some tips for that.
Show company culture: Help new hires understand the company culture by demonstrating how the company's values are reflected in day-to-day operations.
Encourage feedback: Encourage new hires to provide feedback on the onboarding process and their overall experience at the company. Use their feedback to improve the process and show that you value their opinions.
Check-in regularly: Regular check-ins with new hires can help you address any concerns or challenges they may be facing, and provide additional support and resources as needed.
Example of an Employee Onboarding Plan
Here is an example you can refer to while creating an onboarding plan for your company.
Pre-boarding
Send a welcome email to the new hire with information about their start date, what they can expect on their first day, and any paperwork they need to complete.
Assign a buddy or mentor to the new hire who can answer their questions and help them acclimate to the company culture.
Set up their computer and other necessary equipment in advance to ensure a smooth start.
Day 1
Introduce the new hire to their team and give them a tour of the office.
Provide an overview of the company's history, mission, and values.
Review the employee handbook and go over any policies and procedures.
Review their job description and discuss their goals and objectives.
Week 1
Schedule meetings with key stakeholders and department heads to give the new hire a broad understanding of the company and its role.
Provide training on any necessary tools or software.
Discuss the new hire's strengths and areas for development and identify opportunities for learning and growth.
Give the new hire small tasks to complete so they can start to contribute immediately.
Month 1
Conduct a formal performance review and provide feedback on the new hire's progress.
Schedule regular check-ins with their supervisor to ensure they are meeting their goals and receiving the support they need.
Provide opportunities for the new hire to attend industry events, conferences, or training sessions.
Continue to encourage the new hire to ask questions and provide feedback.
Ongoing
Provide regular feedback and recognition for a job well done.
Offer ongoing training and development opportunities to support the new hire's growth within the company.
Ensure that the new hire is integrated into the company culture and feels like part of the team.
Monitor their progress and adjust the onboarding plan as needed.
Wrapping up
Creating a good onboarding plan is important for keeping new employees happy and productive. By investing in a good onboarding plan, you can help your new employees succeed and stay with the company for a long time.
