What is a major function of onboarding?

Onboarding is a critical process designed to integrate new employees into an organization, and one of its major functions is to help improve employee retention rates. This aspect of onboarding focuses on ensuring that new hires feel welcomed, supported, and well-informed about their roles and the company culture. By providing a structured onboarding experience, organizations can foster a positive work environment that encourages employees to commit to the company long-term.

Effective onboarding programs often include introductions to team members, information about company values and policies, and resources that equip new employees for success in their roles. By investing time and resources into a comprehensive onboarding process, organizations can enhance employee satisfaction and increase the likelihood that employees will remain with the company. This reduction in turnover not only saves costs associated with recruiting and training new hires but also builds a more stable and experienced workforce.

While providing immediate job responsibilities is part of onboarding, it does not address the broader purpose of aiding in retention. Similarly, onboarding is not intended to eliminate the need for training; rather, it often complements training by preparing employees for it. Onboarding does not replace the recruiting phase; instead, it follows it, aiming to facilitate a smooth transition for new hires into the organization.