Employee onboarding software: 5 features to look for
It is no secret that hiring is a cost-intensive process, in fact, Glassdoor found that the average employer spends £3,000 and 27.5 days to hire a new worker; these costs go up significantly when new hires resign early. Moreover, an SHRM report predicted a 19% annual turnover rate across industries.
While this data may seem alarming, there are a few resource and talent management changes that can help in creating a pleasant experience for new hires. A seamless onboarding process that includes employee orientation is known to greatly influence employee retention. The simplest way to implement these changes is to adopt an effective employee onboarding software, one that works well for your organisation and focuses on employee onboarding automation. Now that the need for digitising the procedure has been highlighted, let us further detail the features of a software that your company should look for-
Feature 1: New Employee Onboarding Portal
The onboarding process for new employees going well is a prerequisite for employee satisfaction. New hires often feel overwhelmed and lost during their first few weeks and require consistent guidance in order to be productive. Data shows that companies that choose to engage with their new hires and create a personalised experience for them tend to have lower attrition rates.
A workflow management system must offer exposure to new employee orientation resources and give new hires the chance to interact with their peers. The status of the employee’s orientation which involves briefings, the office tour, introduction to company policies, etc. can be tracked on the platform which helps make the cycle run smoothly.
Feature 2: Step-by-Step Wizards
The onboarding process requires harmonious coordination across departments. The hiring manager, the HR, and employees from other departments will have to align their calendars to accommodate the new hires. Unfortunately, more often than not, hiring managers do not interact and engage with new employees sufficiently. Organisations follow this protocol without realising that specific guidance from managers can substantially improve a new hires’ morale and productivity.
The task management software your company opts for should include step-by-step wizards which help the hiring manager construct welcome messages, recommend peers and mentors to the new employee, etc. The wizards also enable managers to set goals for the employees and track their progress; all within one platform.
Feature 3: Electronic Forms
The documentation process involved in hiring new employees can easily become backbreaking work. Employee onboarding automation should include digital signatures and the ability to share e-documents, on any device, without privacy and data security concerns. The platform should have the option to create easily customisable forms, that also meet HR compliance requirements. This not only accelerates hiring and onboarding timelines but also allows the new employee to spend more time assimilating into the company culture rather than repeatedly filling out paperwork.
Feature 4: Knowledge Transfer Management
Successful and accurate knowledge transfer is key to the smooth functioning of an organisation. Knowledge transfer may range from sharing data about processes and procedures to anecdotes about personal experiences, which is why proper knowledge transfer management is critical. The task management software your company picks should be able to capture, store and share a variety of information that can be accessed by current and future employees.
Feature 5: Simplified Offboarding And Cross-boarding Process
An employee should feel valued regardless of where they stand in the employee lifecycle. Just as onboarding a new employee requires efficient cross-department coordination, offboarding or cross-boarding an employee, once they have completed their tenure, is equally important. The cross-boarding process involves an introduction to the new role through employee training and setting measurable 30,60 and 90-day goals. Additionally, the off-boarding process is another opportunity for the company to leave a positive impression on its staff.
There are a host of procedures and formalities involved in the onboarding process, an issue at any stage can ruin timelines and have a massive impact on the overall efficiency. Every organisation should have a well-laid-out hiring and onboarding plan to help eliminate the possibility of inaccuracies and delays. Employee onboarding automation is one of the most reliable ways to improve overall efficiency through digital onboarding and it also reduces the back and forth involved in onboarding paperwork.
Implementing onboarding software is known to completely transform the workforce experience and, in turn, deliver better business results. Moreover, onboarding can work in tandem with your already existing talent management strategy. With SAP SuccessFactors Onboarding HRs have access to an easy-to-use dashboard and hiring managers are introduced to a well-laid out process they can follow to help empower and engage new hires.
Book a demo to learn more about the features of the Onboarding module of SAP SuccessFactors.