Dive Brief:

• While most employees in a recent survey rated employers' onboarding efforts as at least "somewhat effective," they said there's still work to do.
• Nearly 40% of respondents to the Accountemps poll said their technology wasn't properly set up when they started a new job. Others said they didn't receive necessary supplies or introductions to co-workers.
• "Seemingly minor missteps can have a major impact on new employee morale," Michael Steinitz, senior executive director for Accountemps, said in a media release. "In today's market, where employees are in the driver's seat, it's especially important for companies to make a good first impression. Managers need to pay attention to even the smallest details so new hires feel welcomed and empowered to start contributing right away."

Dive Insight:

With the competition for talent still fierce, employers can’t afford to end engagement efforts once new hires are in the door. Experts say HR needs to check in regularly before workers' first day to, among other things, prevent competitors from poaching them.

Getting the onboarding process right is more than worth the effort; research from ServiceNow found that 80% of respondents to a survey said the onboarding process was an "important moment at work" that employers were failing to deliver on. In fact, 1 in 3 said that they would rather go on a bad first date than attend an onboarding session.

New hires made clear in a 2018 TalentLMS survey what they expect from onboarding. Respondents' number one concern was knowing what their boss’ expectation of their performance would be. TalentLMS offered five tips for developing a positive onboarding experience: (1) tailor onboarding to a new hire’s experience; (2) include relevant content; (3) include both traditional and technology-based methods; (4) ensure new hires meet their boss on day one; and (5) give an overview of the company’s culture.