Preboarding

Preboarding (also known as pre-onboarding) refers to initiating the process of integrating a future employee into the workplace before they formally become a member of the organisation, i.e., during the period between accepting a job offer and commencing new employment.

Ideally, pre-onboarding should begin immediately after a candidate accepts an offer and signs the contract.

Preboarding can be:

• Formal
• Informal

5 Key Objectives of Preboarding

1. Reducing Uncertainty and Stress

New employees often experience stress related to a new workplace. They don't know what to expect: who will greet them, what the office looks like, or what the rules are. A well-designed preboarding process minimises this uncertainty by providing practical information and building a sense of security.

2. Building Engagement from the Outset

The period between signing the contract and the first day of work is a time when an employee might still consider other offers. Effective preboarding builds engagement by showing that the company cares about its new team member and is well-organised. According to research, employees who undergo an effective preboarding process show 30% higher engagement levels in their first few months of employment.

3. Accelerating Productivity

Preboarding is an excellent opportunity to provide the future employee with essential information about the company, procedures, or tools they will use. This allows the first day of work to be dedicated to more valuable activities than filling out forms or installing software.

4. Integrating with Organisational Culture

Familiarising a new employee with the company's values, mission, and organisational culture even before they start work helps them better understand the environment they are joining. This, in turn, facilitates later identification with the company and its goals.

5. Reducing Employee Turnover

Research shows that as many as 20% of new employees resign within the first 45 days of work. Well-executed preboarding significantly reduces this risk by creating a positive first impression and demonstrating that the company treats its employees with respect from the very beginning of the relationship.

How to Effectively Achieve Preboarding Goals?

Achieving the above goals requires a thoughtful approach and appropriate tools. The tomHRM onboarding software, which also enables preboarding activities, will help you with this.

Also, check out our detailed guide to the preboarding process to learn how to implement effective preboarding in your organisation step by step.