HR Systems and Onboarding - How to Make Them Work Together

Author: David Godden, published: May 22, 22

When an employee joins a new company, it can be a nervy and uncertain time. That's why it is important that they are made to feel welcome and be efficiently onboarded so they feel comfortable in their new role as soon as possible.

Effective onboarding involves many activities, including:

• Introducing the new hire to their manager and colleagues

• Providing them with their workstation

• Showing them around the office or site

• Informing them of the expectations of the role

• Showing them where the coffee making machine is located :)

As the onboarding process concludes, the employee should feel comfortable within their environment and role.

The Importance of Onboarding

Employers should never underestimate the importance of onboarding their employees. First impressions count, and if you don’t take your onboarding process seriously, you could find that employees may quit within the first week or even on the first day. The last thing any employer should want is unhappy employees.

For instance, if an employee starts and hasn’t been set up with access to the system or is left to sit alone the entire day, it will leave a poor first impression. In addition, if they have not been shown the basic amenities it shows a lack of interest and care invested in the onboarding process. Therefore, employers should invest time and effort to ensure the onboarding process is concise, which is why many employers invest in an HR system to streamline this process.

HR Systems and Onboarding

An effectual onboarding process may last up to 90 days. It gives the employees time to get to know their role, undertake any training courses to get them up to speed and spend time with their colleagues. As it is such a lengthy process, using an HR system for the onboarding process is more efficient. In addition, remote and hybrid working is becoming increasingly common, with 50% of British workers working from home entirely or on a hybrid model. Therefore, an HR system is vital for onboarding. There are many ways an HR system can support this process.

Introduction

Starting a new job is nerve-wracking for anyone. Will the people be friendly and welcoming? Will you have someone to help you learn the ropes, and will there be a positive culture? Even if you are working remotely, these factors can still cause apprehension.

These are things you don’t know before you start a job, which is why a proper introduction is crucial. An HR system can be used to introduce a new starter to the company and to ensure they have everything they need to get set up and get paid. For instance, the introduction may include access to a portal containing the new employee’s login details, personal information, and bank details. It may also have a welcome video from the CEO and an organisational chart to reflect where you sit within the organisation, and who you will work alongside. Another critical aspect of the introduction includes access to a copy of your contract, pay dates, and the ability to book holidays. It may also include any training you need to complete in the first few weeks.

Development Plan and Career Path

One of the most important aspects of a successful employment relationship is ensuring the employee understands your expectations of them. With an HR system, you can support onboarding by ensuring the employee has their goals set and access to their expected targets. In addition, they should have a clear development plan that they can access via the HR system.

Communication

Communication within the onboarding process is also critical. The communication process may include assigning the new start with a buddy and providing them with places to provide feedback, such as online surveys.

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At Thymometrics, we provide a range of ways you can improve employee engagement, including always-on surveys and anonymous feedback solutions. These can help you make vital changes to your processes, including onboarding, to ensure your employees are efficiently supported.