Why is a Formal Onboarding Process Important?

Do you have a formal onboarding process? If you don’t, you’re not alone. Like most business owners, you have a lot of things on your plate. Onboarding isn’t always top of mind. In many companies, it consists of a short orientation meeting followed by reams of forms for the new hire to complete. Then the new employee is sent to their manager for training.

Maybe it’s time to improve your onboarding protocol. You have much to gain.

A well-designed onboarding process has many benefits:

  • Employees get up to speed quicker
  • Employees are more productive
  • Employees develop better time and attendance habits
  • Stronger team unity
  • Lower employee turnover

“When employees go through structured onboarding, they are 58% more likely to remain with the organization after three years.” 

What can onboarding include?

  • Workplace tour
  • Orientation
  • Company policies
  • Time and attendance instructions
  • Payroll instructions
  • Benefits enrollment

Note that we didn’t include training. We are focusing solely on onboarding tasks that are common to most industries.

Some companies are using employee onboarding software to automate some of the tasks. Employees are directed to the company onboarding website before their first day onsite. In the onboarding portal, they are given an introduction. They are introduced to policies and procedures. They are able to fill out the necessary forms.

The advantages of advance online onboarding:

  • New hires can complete the process in a comfortable setting
  • Employees don’t feel pressured to complete it quickly because a supervisor is waiting
  • It relieves the burden on managers and HR staff
  • Managers can track progress

Note: Employers are required by law to pay employees for time spent onboarding and training.

Workforce management systems simplify onboarding. Centralized document management simplifies the process for new hires and admin staff. Document confirmation validates completion. Administrators can easily edit documents. Digital files save money and reduce the environmental impact.

SwipeClock’s WorkforceHUB is a unified workforce management portal that includes automated employee onboarding.

Contact SwipeClock for information regarding WorkforceHUB™UPGRADE TODAY

SwipeClock offers WorkforceHUB™, the unified Human Resources portal that makes it easy to optimize the performance of your managers, employees, and organization.

WorkforceHUB™ includes TimeWorksPlus, TimeSimplicity, and TimeWorks Mobile. We’ve just added onboarding, benefits enrollment, performance reviews, and employee engagement! WorkforceHUB™ is created for busy employers like you who need to streamline scheduling, automate time and attendance tracking, maintain regulatory compliance, and lessen labor costs.

How much can you save? Check our SwipeClock ROI Calculator.

We can get you up and running with Workforce Management Suite in minutes. Contact us today to set up a demo.