Remote Onboarding: Engaging your new hires from wherever they work

Even in the pre-remote work era, successfully onboarding staff was a challenge, but now, it has become even more complex to get it right.

Welcoming new employees to your company remotely presents a unique set of challenges. For those stepping into their first-ever job, the experience they have now will shape their perception of entering the workforce for years to come. It's crucial to recognise that bringing on new staff is a significant undertaking.

Unfortunately, data indicates that many organisations either lack a structured onboarding process altogether or provide a subpar experience. This issue becomes even more pronounced when onboarding is conducted remotely.

Is your onboarding process delivering the right message to new hires?

If you're unsure about the effectiveness of your onboarding process, you're not alone. According to CareerBuilder, only 37% of organisations have a structured onboarding process, and even among those that do, the quality is often lacking (with just 12% of employees feeling adequately onboarded according to Gallup).

Furthermore, studies show that one in three new hires leave their jobs within the first three months, with a poor onboarding experience being a top reason for their departure. However, there is hope.

By prioritising proper onboarding, recruiters have a valuable opportunity to engage and retain new staff members. Research from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) suggests that improving onboarding can significantly reduce employee turnover and boost productivity.

On the other hand, a negative onboarding experience can lead new hires to seek alternative opportunities, highlighting the importance of not only having an onboarding process but also executing it effectively.

How to create a successful virtual onboarding programme

Top-performing companies now recognise that the process of integrating new employees into the company culture begins long before their official start date.

In the weeks leading up to their arrival, new hires are eager for insights into the company's values and dynamics. They seek to familiarise themselves with their future colleagues and gather essential information in advance. Sending introductory emails to new team members, directing them to informative videos, interactive web chats, and company policies, allows them to engage proactively and even plan their time off.

For those committed to a seamless onboarding experience, leaving nothing to chance, leveraging an efficient onboarding platform is key.

Automation streamlines the entire process, ensuring a consistent approach company-wide. From sending out communication and virtual event invitations to distributing essential assets like the staff handbooks, a well-executed onboarding strategy is as critical as the recruitment process itself.

Don't risk losing valuable talent by neglecting this crucial first step.

Provide a better employee onboarding experience with Appogee HR

Our online onboarding software for new hires helps you to engage candidates right from the moment they are hired. 

Appogee HR Success - our advanced HR management software, allows you to configure a customised onboarding portal for your new employees. Helping you to engage new employees right from the moment they are hired.

Within this portal, new hires can input essential details before their start date, access organisational charts and team profiles, and stay informed about any welcoming messages or company policies you deem necessary for them to review before their onboarding.

They can also inform you of any upcoming leave plans and share information regarding Right to Work documents or emergency contacts. Additionally, our solutions seamlessly integrate with various Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) like Greenhouse, Teamtailor, and LinkedIn Talent Hub, ensuring a smooth onboarding process.

Our comprehensive onboarding solution is available as part of our Appogee HR Success package. Why not request a demo today or try it for yourself free for 14 days