New poll reveals frustrations with onboarding processes
Nearly half of employees with poor onboarding experiences are planning to leave their jobs in the next six months, according to a new report, which reveals how employers are falling short in their onboarding process.
Findings from the latest Software Finder report revealed a "direct connection" between an organisation's onboarding process and an employee's desire to stay or leave.
It found that 32% of newly hired employees in the last two years are planning to quit in the next six months, with the figure rising to 48% for employees who have had a poor onboarding experience from their employer.
"A poor onboarding experience is frustrating, and surprisingly, it can push employees to reconsider their future with a new company," the report read.
Problems with onboarding
According to the findings, unclear expectations and a lack of training are the most frustrating aspects of employees' onboarding experiences.
Experiencing technical setup delays and feeling like an afterthought also emerged as major frustrations for employees.
Overall, 67% of employees said their onboarding was not totally accurate in reflecting their job responsibilities and the company culture.
More than a quarter of employees also described their onboarding experience as disorganised (29%) and rushed (26%). Others said it was:
- Underwhelming (21%)
- Confusing (20%)
- Overwhelming (19%)
"When onboarding is rushed, vague, or disconnected from real responsibilities, it not only hurts confidence but also drives talent out the door," the report read.
Improving the onboarding experience
The report underscores that having a well-structured onboarding experience may be the "most important investment" an organisation can make for its people.
Employees who responded to the report said organisations can improve their onboarding by offering a realistic preview of job responsibilities (46%).
They also suggested a "re-onboarding or follow-up" (29%) after more than three months at the job, according to the report.
More than three in four (77%) employees who experienced good onboarding said they felt more connected to their company than they did in their first 30 days.
"Companies have a golden opportunity to improve employee retention, satisfaction, and performance through effective onboarding," the report read.
