For onboarding in particular, these components can be applied to overcome the new hire cliff:

Engagement: Provide a personally relevant "why" behind an action, even if it's a simple task like filling out a form.
Ease: Make taking action easy for everyone. Automate reminders for welcome lunches, introductions to buddies or even a personalized text from the hiring manager to share their excitement.
Nudge: Only deliver information at the time that it needs to be received. Overwhelming handbooks are out – timely nudges are far more effective.
Connection: Technology does not replace human connection, but it does play a role in facilitating it. Help new hires find their new work friends and remind busy managers and team members to check in to proactively build those all-important relationships for success.

The onboarding process can be stressful for both new hires and their managers. What advice do you have for managers to streamline the process and make it less overwhelming for everyone involved, especially the new hire?

Instead of taking the traditional approach of giving new hires and managers a list of information and tasks to complete on the first day, onboarding should be viewed as a journey that takes place before, during and after a new hire steps through the virtual or physical office door. This relieves much of the overwhelm and first-day stress by providing new employees the right information at the right time. Managers can then work alongside technology that delivers information in bite-sized pieces, adding a hu/man element that guides new hires through the onboarding program, encourages connection and answers any questions along the way.

Instant Insights /

Employers beware the 'new hire cliff'

More From HR Executive

Related Stories

Recommended For You