Definition
Onboarding covers all activities that integrate new hires technically, socially and culturally. The goal is fast and sustainable productivity plus high first-year retention.
HR & Onboarding
Onboarding
Onboarding is the structured process through which new hires are integrated into an organisation. It starts after offer acceptance and typically runs for 90 to 180 days.
The Four Phases
Preboarding (offer acceptance to first day), orientation (first week), integration (first 90 days, task ownership and team embedment), enablement (to end of year one, full productivity and retention).
Onboarding with an Employee App
A digital onboarding flow in the employee app delivers welcome content, team intros, organisational info and the onboarding plan even before day one. Especially valuable for frontline workers who do not have a company email.
Related terms
More definitions from the teamly knowledge hub.
HR & OnboardingEmployee ExperienceEmployee experience (EX) covers the full set of perceptions an employee has of their employer, from first recruitment touchpoint to exit. It includes communications, tools, work environment, leadership and recognition.HR & OnboardingPreboardingPreboarding covers all activities between offer acceptance and first day. It bridges the waiting period, builds emotional commitment and prepares new hires for a smooth start.Frontline & OperationsFrontline WorkerFrontline workers are employees who work directly with customers, products or services rather than at a desk. In the UK they make up around 80 percent of the workforce in sectors like healthcare, retail, hospitality, logistics, construction and manufacturing.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Onboarding
What HR leads, IT managers and compliance officers ask most often.
How long should good onboarding last?
Current HR research recommends 90 to 180 days. More than half of all early-stage departures happen within the first 6 months, and structured onboarding measurably reduces this.
What does poor onboarding cost?
CIPD research puts the cost of a failed hire in the first 12 months at 1.5 to 2 times annual salary. Structured onboarding is one of the most effective investments HR can make.
Considering an employee app?
teamly is the European employee app for mid-market companies. Go-live in 3 to 6 months, your own branded app, UK and EU GDPR compliant.