Definition
Preboarding is the first phase of onboarding, starting with offer acceptance and ending on the official first day. It includes everything that happens in between.
HR & Onboarding
Preboarding
Preboarding 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.
Why Preboarding Matters
Between offer acceptance and first day, UK employers lose 5 to 15 percent of new hires (CIPD), often because candidates feel ignored. Good preboarding keeps engagement warm.
Concrete Actions
Welcome push via the employee app, personal video from leadership, team intros, key documents made available, organisational info (parking, dress code, day-one contact), an onboarding plan for week one.
Related terms
More definitions from the teamly knowledge hub.
HR & OnboardingOnboardingOnboarding 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.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.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Preboarding
What HR leads, IT managers and compliance officers ask most often.
When should preboarding start?
Immediately after offer acceptance. The first days are crucial for emotional commitment. The longer the gap to day one, the more regular touchpoints matter.
What can I legally communicate before day one?
Welcome content, organisational info and general culture material are unproblematic. Work instructions or compulsory training before official start raise employment law questions in the UK and Ireland. Always consult HR.
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.