When it comes to employee onboarding, there are a variety of options available. As an organization, you might wonder which type of onboarding plan is best for your business.
In this article, we will discuss the different types of employee onboarding plans and the benefits and drawbacks of each. So whether you’re new to employee onboarding or just need some clarification, read on to learn more!
Types of Employee Onboarding Plans
There are several different types of employee onboarding plans available, each with its advantages and disadvantages.
- Soft/Intrinsic Onboarding Plan:
This onboarding plan provides employees with general information about the company, its culture, and its expectations while working with the organization. This is sometimes referred to as an “informational” or “educational” onboarding plan.
The main advantage of this type of plan is that it allows new employees to get up to speed quickly on the basics of their new job. Additionally, this type of onboarding tends to be less demanding on employees’ time and resources, making it a good option if you have a high volume of incoming new hires.
However, soft/intrinsic onboarding plans can often feel impersonal and formal. They may not provide enough detailed information about the job or the company’s policies and procedures. This can make it difficult for new employees to start quickly, and they may feel lost in their new surroundings.
- Hard/Systematic Onboarding Plan:
A hard /systematic onboarding plan involves gradually integrating new employees into the company’s culture and operating procedures. This type of plan is designed to provide employees with all the information they need about their job and how it fits into the larger picture.
The main advantage of a hard/systematic onboarding plan is that it ensures that new hires are fully prepared for their new roles. They will know what expectations are attached to their position, and they’ll be able to understand how the company operates overall.
However, hard/systematic onboarding plans can be more demanding on employees’ time and resources. They may require new hires to attend training sessions, sit for exams, or complete assignments to fully integrate into the company culture.
- Hybrid Onboarding Plan:
A hybrid onboarding plan combines elements of both soft/intrinsic and hard/systematic onboarding plans. This approach allows companies to tailor their onboarding program specifically to the needs of their workforce.
Hybrid onboarding plans can be a good choice if you have a high volume of incoming new hires who don’t have much experience working in a specific context ( for example, if you’re a startup company).
In this case, you may opt to use a soft/intrinsic approach in which new employees are gradually introduced to the company’s culture and operating procedures.
Then, once they’re comfortable with these elements, you can transition them into a hard/systematic onboarding plan. This will ensure that they understand all the expectations associated with their position and learn how the company operates as a whole.
One downside of a hybrid onboarding plan is that it can be harder to track progress. New hires may not always know when they’ve transitioned from one stage of the onboarding process to the next, and they may struggle to understand why certain tasks are required.
Conclusion
Onboarding is an essential process that new employees must undergo in order to join a company and start contributing. However, managing this process can be challenging – especially when meeting the specific needs of different groups of workers.
Fortunately, several onboarding tools can help companies streamline their processes and create a welcoming environment for all new employees.
Whether you opt for a soft/intrinsic or hard/systematic approach, ensuring your onboarding process is automated will help ensure that everyone – from the newest recruits to veteran employees – feels comfortable and productive within your company.