How HR automation improves the employee onboarding experience

According to the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), successful onboarding systems improve retention rates (52%), increase time to productivity (60%) and heighten the satisfaction of new recruits (53%).

As we move into the post-Covid era, with more people being onboarded remotely, the need to have consistent processes that guide new starters through the early days of employment has never been more necessary.

Surprisingly though, SHRM’s research reveals that just 20% of organisations have adopted a systematic approach to onboarding. So, what are the remaining 80% missing?

Well, a systematic approach means implementing a hiring strategy with steps that can be reviewed and enhanced to improve retention rates over time. For example, while it’s standard to screen and vet candidates at the interview stage and through background checks, organisations can also give potential employees an introduction to the company’s culture to ensure they are a good fit for the organisation before they start.

These steps can also include communications processes that ensure the right people know who is starting and when – IT, for example, will then be able to furnish them with all the necessary equipment from their start date.

Recruits may also receive guidance documents or videos that can cover everything from corporate policies to information on the communication apps or productivity tools they may be required to use day to day – helping them to pre-prepare. The same goes for all the documentation pertinent to the individual’s job such as contracts, job descriptions, responsibilities and expectations.

With the right systems and tools in place most of these steps can be automated, so companies aren’t relying on individuals to remember what to do. For example, when the business needs a recruit to provide information such as bank details, P45s and P60s, this can easily be handled via an automated HR portal. This limits the potential for human errors that can delay a new employee receiving their wage or salary –leading to an early break down in trust.

Automating these tasks also reduces the administration involved whenever a new employee comes onboard – which, in turn, significantly reduces the cost to the company.

The big bonus, however, is that when new starters enjoy a slick process when they start work it builds confidence in their new employer from day one.
This all makes for an impressive employer brand experience which, when you consider that 55% of job seekers will abandon a job application if they read a negative employee review, means you’ll never miss out on the best candidates.