First impressions are important. We saw in the previous trend (see full report) that the On-boarding process now starts much earlier, already during the recruitment phase. The first impressions new hires gain may well shape the way they feel about their new employer in the longer term.
E.g. a global healthcare company participating in our research shares organisational charts, welcome videos from business leaders and information on core competencies, in advance of the first working day. New employees are better prepared and have already started to feel a bond with their new employer when they start.
In our previous report on Compensation & Benefits, we noted how the area of Compensation & Benefits was responding to the multi-generational workforce by adopting an approach that is more holistic, and On-boarding is no different, with some programmes being designed to meet the needs of specific employee groups.
With new employees learning much more about the company than their specific role and remit, and over a longer period, today’s programmes are increasingly designed to create an experience that aligns with the company’s culture and employer value proposition. This experience should help create a strong identification with the business, a sense of pride, commitment and belonging as new starters feel welcomed, valued, and engaged from the start.
Much will depend on the involvement of their wider team and employees, and it is here that the value of internal social networks is really felt. With 73%, the majority of our organisations in the Top Employers research having a team lunch or dinner as part of Onboarding. These personal touches are integral to creating a sense of belonging.
Five key trends
'Towards a multidimensional programme' is one of the five key trends we have identified in the On-boarding report. These five key practices should be included in today’s On-boarding processes.
Download the full On-boarding report to learn all about the current trends in On-boarding and how organisations deal with these trends in their business processes.
