A few months ago, a friend of mine started a new job and was very excited about the opportunity.  On their first day, they arrived at 7:45am to meet their new boss and see HR for onboarding. However, upon arrival, the office manager said they were not aware of any new hires starting today, and my friend was asked to take a seat while they sorted it out.

About 45 minutes later, the office manager told my friend that the hiring manager was traveling on business and HR was just made aware of their starting today. Unfortunately, there was no office or workstation ready, no computer, no email or access to any systems, no mentor assigned to them, and no one to give them a tour of the facility or introduce them to other team members.  My friend spent the first week of employment sitting in a small conference room reading manuals and watching training videos as HR and Facilities scrambled to prepare for them as a new hire.

I think we can all agree this is not how a company wants to make a first impression on a new employee. Successful onboarding of a new employees sets the stage for their engagement level and success within the organization. According to O.C. Tanner, 69% of employees are more likely to stay with an employer for three plus years if they experience great onboarding. Experiencing a comprehensive onboarding plan makes the new hire feel planned for, welcomed, and comfortable in their new job which leads to an engaged, productive employee who feels equipped to contribute to the success of the organization.

Here are 5 more strategic reasons why employee onboarding is so important.:

1. Higher Employee Engagement – Successful onboarding helps new employees feel well connected to the company and its mission, vision, and values. When employees are connected and feel their voice is heard, employees become more engaged with the company. In turn, they tend to be more passionate about their job and the company’s goals and mission.
2. Reduction of Employee Turnover – As mentioned above, 69% of employees are more likely to stay with an employer for at least three years if they experience great onboarding. Having a negative onboarding experience caused my friend to begin doubting his decision to join the company on the first day, and by day two was looking to make a move elsewhere.
3. Increased Productivity – Arming new employees with proper information, equipment, and support on day one allows them to begin to be productive from the very beginning. Helpful day-one Information includes the logistical information for basic employee needs, such as where to park, how to get new supplies, access to email communications, how and who to reach out for support when needed, etc. If we want a new hire to be productive from the start, we must provide them the tools to accomplish this.
4. Top Talent Attraction – If your company has a reputation for having a strong, helpful onboarding process that also continues into the daily work environment (encouraging collaboration, the sharing of new ideas, teamwork, etc.), you will not only attract the top talent but they will also become your best sources for employee referrals. 
5. Increased Profits – According to Gallop, employees who were highly engaged with their company had 147% higher earnings per share than their competition. Successful employee onboarding is the foundation for engaging with new employees and increasing long-term employee buy-in. Clearly outlining the importance, impact and role they play in the company is crucial during the first few days of employment to set the stage for ongoing success.

What Impact does your onboarding process have with new hires? You only get one chance to make an impactful first impression.

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For help in establishing a successful employee onboarding plan, contact Close HR Connections.