‘If one identifies that they have a poor onboarding process/program, they would do well to look at the rest of the org before making changes.’

Absolutely! Everything that an employer does, every interaction management has with employees communicates something about the employer, how they do business, and how they feel about their employees.

In the case of your observation, how a company handles onboarding is a reflection of the bigger context – a sloppy, unwelcoming onboarding process speaks of some not-too-impressive attitudes and qualities of the employer and their view of employees. And… as you rightly recommended, management would be wise to look at the larger context to see how such attitudes and norms are being expressed elsewhere in the company.

Conversely caring about the details, doing it right, showing respect, etc. says something very different… That’s one of the reasons I try to hammer home the slogan ‘Everything Matters’ because everything management says and does communicates a message to employees about them (the Employer) and how they see their workforce. So it pays to be mindful… of everything.

BTW, loved the allegory :-) How true.

Thanks again for your input,
David Lee

Great article, and great ideas. How timely it is that just this a.m. a question was posted on ERE about onboarding techniques.

The only thing I would add is this…onboarding is a process that reflects the culture and practices of the general business operation. If there are weaknesses within the on-boarding process, it is likely those weaknesses are reflected elsewhere. If one identifies that they have a poor onboarding process/program, they would do well to look at the rest of the org before making changes. Changes to a problematic onboarding program, without equivalent change to problems in general, will create even greater dissatisfaction among new hires than if there were no changes made.

Reminds me of the story about the Soul that went to Hell. It was a beautiful place, and the Devil was dressed in a flowing white gown. The Devil asked the Soul, ‘Would you like to stay’, to which the Soul replied, ‘This is a beautiful place, not at all what I expected. Of course I’ll stay.’ Instantaneously, the beautiful place was transformed into one of such suffering and depravity that it defied imagination. The soul cried out, ‘What happened?? This was such a beautiful place…now it’s horrifying!! The Devil replied, ‘At first, I was interviewing you, now you’re staff. Welcome…’