Onboarding is a key part of the hiring process — but in their haste, some companies overlook the process — or drop it completely. By doing so, they’re not only crippling their new employee’s productivity but are fostering a negative work environment. This can have serious consequences for the employer, such as an increase in voluntary terminations, reduced sales, and poor customer service.

The importance of onboarding your new workers cannot be overstated. Today we’ll be going over how onboarding prepares your workers for success, and how this benefits your organization in the long run.

3 Reasons Why Onboarding is Important

Helps New Workers Get Acclimated

Engagement is a critical part of any business, and it starts with the onboarding process. Workers who are being brought on receive proper training, which allows them to feel more comfortable with their position. New employees might also have the chance to shadow an experienced worker, giving them a visual example of how work needs to be completed. 

Without this experience, your new hires will likely feel lost. In busier workplaces where are less likely to be able to find reliable assistance, this can be especially demoralizing.

Solidifies Your Employer Brand

How your employees think of your organization is incredibly important. This internal reputation, or your employer brand, determines everything from employee morale to cost-per-hire, to retention rates. 

If you have an inefficient or non-existent onboarding program, your employer brand will suffer. New hires might come to the premature conclusion that your organization is poorly run, especially if they feel unsupported. This opinion will only solidify over time if left unchecked and can lead to voluntary termination.

Introduces Employees To Their Peers

In any position that requires teamwork, introducing new hires to their coworkers is a must. Throwing new employees into a group work situation without giving them an opportunity to get to know their teammates could end poorly. The new hire may feel ostracized, have trouble being productive, or clash with more experienced members due to a lack of expectation. 

If your new employees need assistance, introductions give them a support network. They’ll have a constant stream of relevant information at their disposal and are likely to improve at a quick pace. In situations with dangerous equipment, or where individual decisions have serious consequences, having this support network can prevent disaster.

What Does All This Do For The Organization?

The most potent upside to an effective onboarding program is a satisfied rising workforce. In the midst of the great resignation, retention rates can be a differentiating factor for candidates. If they don’t like what they see, they’re likely to choose another company that exudes stability. With a high-quality onboarding process, the opposite is true. According to a SHRM report, new employees who receive proper onboarding are 69 percent more likely to stay on for three or more years. 

A secondary, but nonetheless important benefit of onboarding is increased productivity. Companies with a standard onboarding program see a 50% boost in their productivity in their new hires. Their newfound connections, as well as an understanding of company goals, give them the drive to succeed. This is because connections impart alternative stakes onto the job.

If your company doesn’t yet have an onboarding program, we hope this piece has convinced you to push for one. Strengthening your company culture, preventing voluntary terminations, and improving productivity can turn your organization around — or keep it headed in the right direction.