The phases of onboarding
A structured onboarding process is a prerequisite for a quick and successful familiarisation with the professional tasks and settling into a new social environment. In the process, numerous different tasks have to be completed. But not every task is important in the current phase of onboarding. We will introduce you to the individual phases of onboarding and show you what you should focus on in each case.
Onboarding: The 3-phase model
The onboarding of new employees is equally concerned with the completion of administrative and organisational tasks, the concrete familiarisation with the professional tasks as well as the social integration into the new working environment.
To ensure this, most companies organise the onboarding process according to a three-phase model, each of which focuses on a different task. The individual phases are
- Preboarding or preparation phase - time before the 1st working day
- Orientation phase - from the 1st working day until approx. 3rd month
- Integration phase - from the 3rd month until approx. 6th month
The preparation phase
The preparatory phase (pre-boarding) begins in principle with the signing of the working paper and ends with the first official working day. Two tasks are the focus of the preparatory phase.
On the one hand, it is a matter of preparing the new employees for the start of work in the best possible way. A large number of tasks can be completed before the first day of work, so that the main focus can be on professional and social integration. The tasks include above all administrative and organisational ones, such as the contractual and labour law paperwork that is part of the employment. But the procurement of the necessary equipment (workstation in the office, laptop, home office equipment, etc.) should also be organised at this stage.
With the Lendis OS, you save a lot of time and money on technical onboarding and can concentrate on the most important thing - your new colleagues.
However, the preboarding phase is also about avoiding early turnover. Despite signing a contract, many employees have uncertainties before starting a new job. Was the job change the right decision? Was the company the best choice? And will I be well received by my new colleagues?
The orientation phase
In order to lay the foundation for a successful professional induction, the onboardees must be provided with the necessary general knowledge during the orientation phase. In individual training sessions and workshops they learn
- Detailed information about the company
- What products and services are offered
- What are the general procedures in the company
- What tools and systems are there in the company and how are they operated?
- What must be observed with regard to data protection and occupational safety?
The integration phase
Communication also plays an important role in the integration phase. In regular feedback meetings, show the staff how satisfied you are with their work, and at the same time point out problems and opportunities for development.
Checklist for a smooth onboarding process
An onboarding checklist helps you to keep track of the onboarding of your new employees and not to forget any important tasks. We have created a template for the onboarding checklist for you, which you can use as a basis for onboarding in your company and download here for free.