Savvy HR professionals have been refining the onboarding process for several years now and the technology available for candidates and hiring managers to deliver a smooth onboarding experience is becoming more sophisticated with every update.
Most line managers and recruiters have had the unwelcome experience of a candidate taking another role at the eleventh hour or leaving unexpectedly after weeks of training and investment.
A recent survey showed that of the 2,000 questioned who have moved jobs in the last 3 years, over 69% of these left a job within a year of starting it and 20% of those blamed poor onboarding for their departure. So, the case for improving how you bring new hires into your organisation is compelling to avoid unnecessary costs (to re-hire) and the impact on productivity.
It’s no longer just a case of popping a contract and handbook in the post. In fact, the entire experience can now be managed digitally, making it quicker and easier for both employer and new employees to build rapport and understanding.
The benefits of going digital
Onboarding digitally means users get an intuitive, interactive experience that engages them with their new team and company before they actually start work. Your employees will feel prepared and confident rather than apprehensive and unsure about their first day at work.
There are many benefits of handling your onboarding digitally, these include:
- Ensuring all documents are signed, then uploaded and securely stored in the cloud which means as well as being safe, the storage and disposal costs are minimal.
- Full accessibility means your new members of staff can use the software wherever they are, and at a time to suit them.
- Onboarding will be consistent across your organisation, rather than varying depending on which HR manager is setting them up.
- New recruits can become part of their team before they join as the system allows managers to introduce them to other members of their department and pair up with a buddy who can provide them with information and answer any queries they may have. This means a lot of the induction work can be done before the first day and they can hit the ground running.
- Useful details such as maps, dress code etc can be sent out and easily viewed and saved.
- Detailed analytics include completion rate tracking so you can identify where there may be hold-ups.
- The onboarding data will begin the employee record for each individual so there won’t be additional setting up to do.
- The system opportunity to run a full, in-depth background check prior to onboarding.
In an increasingly digital world it is critical to use technology to build the foundations of good employee experience and essential relationships between people.