Enboarder has unveiled new research on the current state of employee onboarding, based on a survey of over 1,000 employees across the U.S., U.K., and Australia. As companies navigate the complexities of maintaining morale and engagement in today’s work environment, only 26% of employees reported feeling fully informed, engaged, and confident during their recent onboarding experiences.
Key Findings
- Struggles of Remote and Hybrid Workers
The research indicates that remote and hybrid employees face the most significant onboarding challenges:- 42% of remote new hires reported a truly terrible onboarding experience, followed by 39% of hybrid workers.
- Remote new hires are nearly 50% more likely to feel that company culture was poorly demonstrated compared to their on-site counterparts.
- Field workers are over two times as likely to feel uninformed, disengaged, and unconfident during onboarding compared to their on-site peers.
- Remote employees are almost twice as likely to find their onboarding software or app unhelpful.
- The Importance of Human Connection
Human connection and effective communication are critical for successful onboarding, especially in a competitive labor market. New hires who formed friendships during onboarding were four times more likely to report an “over the moon” experience and nearly twice as likely to describe their experience positively. This positive onboarding experience can lead to significant ROI for organizations, with employees showing higher engagement and satisfaction levels.
Positive Onboarding Impact
Employees with a positive onboarding experience exhibited several key benefits:
- 42% felt more engaged.
- 46% were satisfied with their job decision.
- 34% were motivated to stay longer with the company.
- 32% would recommend the company as a great workplace.
Negative Onboarding Consequences
Conversely, poor onboarding experiences can lead to significant dissatisfaction and turnover:
- 34% felt disengaged.
- 33% regretted accepting the role.
- 30% developed a negative outlook on their work environment.
- 25% ultimately left their job.
- 25% shared their negative experiences with others.
Dan Finnigan, CEO at Enboarder, stated, “Leaving onboarding to chance is a huge risk considering the massive investment companies make when it comes to recruitment. This report clearly shows that the onboarding experiences greatly impact employer brand, employee experience, and performance. Most onboarding programs are falling short—and it’s negatively impacting the bottom line.”
Additional Insights
- Onboarding Technology Adoption
While 74% of new hires use some form of onboarding software, only 19% found these applications very helpful. In some cases, no software may be better than ineffective software. - The Role of Work Friendships
Friendships formed during onboarding significantly enhance positive outcomes. Employees with friends at work are twice as likely to feel well-informed about their roles and expectations. Access to effective onboarding software correlates with friendship formation; those without helpful software were three times less likely to make friends. - Achieving “Over the Moon” Onboarding
An exceptional onboarding experience is possible through enhanced communication and personal connections. 80% of those who had an “over the moon” experience noted that onboarding began before their official start date, and 62% emphasized the importance of strong personal connections at work.
