Employee Onboarding & Training
The Top 7 Employee Onboarding Trends 2026: Experts Share Their Insight
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With change the name of the game, what employee onboarding trends can we expect to see in 2025?
It’s no surprise that workplace trends around AI and automation should be used to develop your 2025 strategy.
But what else?
The experts have weighed in! Read on to see what employee onboarding trends you should watch for in 2025.
The Top 7 Onboarding Trends 2025
1. More Personalized Onboarding Experiences
If you’ve onboarded new hires recently, you know it can feel impersonal, especially for remote hires. This can make even the most enthusiastic employees feel like just another face in the crowd (or on a Zoom call).
Impersonal experiences can create unrealistic job and culture expectations and alienate top talent, resulting in turnover. In fact, a study found that 30% of employees leave their jobs within 90 days (Employ).
Only some companies are implementing a personalized onboarding experience currently. However, more companies will follow suit in 2025, according to experts like Mitch Chailland, President of Canal HR, and Maksym Lushpenko, CEO of Brokee.
“AI will be leveraged to personalize onboarding experiences for employees.”
Tailoring the onboarding process to individual needs is becoming a standard practice. By leveraging data analytics and AI, companies can create customized training plans that align with each employee’s role, background, and learning preferences. This approach not only accelerates integration but also fosters a deeper connection to the organization.
“A personalized approach can potentially lead to a more committed and satisfied workforce, as employees appreciate the investment in their professional growth, which, in turn, reduces turnover."
Maksym LushpenkoCEO of Brokee2. Focus on Company Culture and Connection
Forming connections with new employees in the past was, dare we say, easy. Employees could stop by a new hire’s desk or chat for a few minutes in the break room. Creating those same connections with employees in hybrid or remote work models isn’t as effortless. But they’re still necessary.
A study found that 41% of HR leaders believe hybrid work compromises employees’ connection to culture (Gartner). Well, at least in the traditional sense of connecting.
Building a strong connection to company culture is essential for new hires. An onboarding trend we’ll see in 2025 is companies forming more intentional connections with new hires. Organizations are now prioritizing cultural integration through mentorship programs, team-building activities, and clear communication of company values.
This focus helps new employees feel valued and part of the team from day one.
3. Use of AI to Streamline Onboarding Tasks
Artificial intelligence is transforming how we onboard. From chatbots answering newbie questions at 2 a.m. to AI-driven learning platforms that adapt training content in real time, the possibilities are endless.
In fact, 76% of HR professionals say companies that fail to embrace AI in onboarding will fall behind. If you’re not already exploring AI tools, 2025 might be the year to start.
In her article, Lindsey Savarino, Senior Director of HR at Aware, says;
“Today, a large majority of companies have started using AI to automate their onboarding processes, and digital onboarding is quickly following suit, with many organizations embedding AI and machine learning into [their] processes.”
Lindsey SavarinoSr Director Human Resources, AwareUsing AI is generally considered standard practice for onboarding.
However, Rodrigo Vázquez Mellado at SelectSoftware Reviews, a company that tests and evaluates HR software, says, “More and more companies will automate as much of the process as possible, especially those with hybrid and remote models—since these are way more likely to have software systems in place to help with most HR functions.”
While he believes a self-service approach will keep gaining momentum, he also says, “At the same time, I think sensible HR teams will notice that the need for human interaction will always be there, and hence will make an effort towards keeping rites like intro meetings with the direct manager and other key team members.”
4. Continued Emphasis on Diversity and Inclusion
Most companies have a section on DEIB in their employee handbook and somewhere on their site. But when it comes to helping new hires feel like they belong on day one? 🤔
Did you know? Organizations with strong D&I initiatives are 70% more likely to capture new markets (SaaSWorthy). Starting that journey during onboarding is a smart move.
A trend for employee onboarding in 2025 is helping new hires feel a genuine sense of belonging from day one. This doesn’t only go for the LGBTQ community but also stretches the generational gap. Make sure that your Gen Z team members, as well as your millennials, are catered for and valued.
5. More in-person activity
Remote, hybrid, and in-person work models are all here to stay. Most teams are missing that human connection, which is a vital part of the 5 C’s of onboarding.
Jo Taylor, the Managing Director at Let’s Talk Talent, says a trend she sees in the new year is an increase in onboarding activities. “With our clients, we’re seeing a move to more in-person onboarding activities. It’s vital to build that connection in a person’s early [employee] experience.”
Taylor also mentions that this may be easier for local teams, but onboarding activities are still important for global teams.
“What we’ve seen work for global teams is having one place for all new [hires] to go, like a portal.”
Jo TaylorManaging Director at Let’s Talk Talent
6. Increased Use of Gamification
To make onboarding more engaging, some organizations are incorporating gamification elements. This includes interactive modules, quizzes, and reward systems that make the learning process enjoyable and memorable.
About 45% of companies are now using gamification techniques during onboarding to enhance engagement and learning retention among new hires
7. Automation is Key
According to Glassdoor, a reliable employee onboarding process improves new employees’ retention by 82% and productivity by over 70%. That’s substantial enough to pay attention to, and more companies will start to invest in employee onboarding and training software.
Automated employee onboarding offers numerous benefits, foremost among them being efficiency and consistency. By automating the onboarding process, a business can ensure a standardized and streamlined experience for new hires, reducing the likelihood of errors and oversights.
Automated employee onboarding not only accelerates the time it takes for employees to become fully productive but also enhances overall satisfaction and engagement for new hires.
Jaquelyn Gernaey states “From company policies and training modules to safety protocols and legal requirements, automation ensures that essential information is effectively communicated. By prioritizing compliance, you mitigate risks and build trust and confidence in your organization.
"Maintaining consistency in onboarding practices can be a challenge, especially when different managers handle the process individually. Automated onboarding eliminates inconsistencies and ensures every new hire receives the same high-quality experience.
Jacquelyn GernaeyCEO at SevenStar HRMoving into the new year, automating tasks that can be automated — like using Whale’s automation to help feed assignments to new hires — without eliminating that human touch will be essential.
Employee Onboarding Trends that Matter
Does employee onboarding really matter?
As it turns out, yes.
BambooHR onboarding stats, employees who had effective onboarding feel up to 18x more commitment to their workplace, compared to employees who feel their onboarding was less effective.
81% of new hires say they feel overwhelmed with information throughout the onboarding process (Glean).
Employee onboarding impacts;
- Employee experience
- The retention of top talent
- Productivity
- And even company performance
Organizations with standard onboarding processes experience a 50% increase in productivity – The Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)
The Bottom line?
Onboarding is the cornerstone of the relationship between new hires and your company. 🤝
Our predictions for 2025 point to companies creating a more positive, lasting experience for employees during onboarding. If you want to capitalize on these trends and start automating your onboarding process in a centralized place, sign up for Whale’s free trial today.
Key Terms & Further Reading on employee onboarding trends
Key Definitions
What is a training specialist?
Employee engagement definition
Additional resources
Welcome to the company template
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Lisa Steingold is the Content Marketing Manager for Whale. She's authored 4 books and is obsessed with helping teams unlock the next level of growth. (And riding her bicycle)
