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Glossary Item

Employee Onboarding

The primary purpose of onboarding is to smoothly transition new hires into their roles, ensuring they understand their responsibilities and the company's expectations. This process is crucial in helping new employees feel welcomed and valued, which can significantly boost their confidence and performance. Effective onboarding sets the stage for open communication and fosters a sense of belonging, which is vital for long-term engagement and retention.
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Employee Onboarding

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Benefits of employee onboarding

  1. Increased employee retention: A robust onboarding program can significantly reduce turnover rates. Employees who feel supported from the start are more likely to stay with the company long-term.

  2. Enhanced productivity: Properly onboarded employees reach productivity levels quicker than those who are not systematically introduced to their new roles.

  3. Improved job satisfaction: When employees understand their role and how they contribute to the company’s goals, their job satisfaction increases, which can lead to enhanced morale across the team.

  4. Stronger company culture: Onboarding introduces new hires to the company culture and values, aligning them from the outset, which helps build a cohesive team environment.

Duration of employee onboarding

The duration of the onboarding process can vary greatly depending on the role, company, and industry. Typically, onboarding lasts anywhere from 30 to 90 days. A great onboarding experience might extend up to a year to fully acclimate to the company and its processes.

What are the different parts of an employee onboarding process?

It’s important to ensure you tick the right items for each stage of the onboarding process. 

The stages of onboarding include;

  • Pre-onboarding (Before 1st day
  • Welcoming and orientation (1st day)
  • Training (1st week+)
  • Transitioning employee onboarding checklist (1st month+)

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Onboarding software: How to choose the right one

Onboarding software is designed to streamline and automate the introduction process for new hires. These platforms can offer a range of features, from digital forms and documentation to training schedules and performance tracking. Choosing the right onboarding software depends on several factors:

  • Scalability: Ensure the software can grow with your company. It should be able to handle increases in hiring volume without compromising performance.
  • User-friendly interface: Look for software with an intuitive interface that makes it easy for both HR staff and new hires to use.
  • Integration capabilities: The software should integrate seamlessly with your existing HR systems (like payroll and performance management systems) to ensure a smooth workflow.
  • Customization: Choose software that allows customization to reflect your unique company culture and onboarding processes.
  • Support and resources: Good onboarding software providers offer excellent customer support and resources like training webinars and troubleshooting guides.


In conclusion, effective employee onboarding is a critical investment in the growth and stability of your company. By ensuring that new hires are thoroughly prepared and integrated into your culture, you not only enhance their individual performance but also bolster the overall health and productivity of your organization. Choose tools and practices that align with your strategic objectives, and you’ll set both your employees and your company up for success.

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Bram Billiet

Bram Billiet, is the Co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Whale. His obsession for building the product is matched matched only by his love for conquering levels in Mario Brothers.

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