Onboarding Plan
Definition
An onboarding plan is a structured program that guides new employees through their first days, weeks, and months at an organization. It covers orientation activities, training schedules, goal setting, and milestone check-ins to accelerate time-to-productivity.
What Is an Onboarding Plan?
An onboarding plan is a systematic approach to integrating new employees into an organization. It extends beyond the first-day orientation to encompass a structured program that may span 30, 60, or 90 days (or longer). The plan outlines specific activities, training sessions, introductions, goals, and milestones designed to help the new employee become productive and engaged as quickly as possible.
The Business Case for Structured Onboarding
Retention Impact
Research by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) indicates that organizations with structured onboarding programs experience 50% greater new hire retention. Employees who have a positive onboarding experience are 69% more likely to remain at the organization for three years.
Productivity Acceleration
A well-designed onboarding plan reduces the time it takes for a new employee to reach full productivity. By providing clear expectations, necessary training, and relationship-building opportunities, new hires can contribute meaningfully sooner.
The 30-60-90 Day Framework
First 30 Days: Learn
The initial period focuses on orientation, learning the organization's systems and processes, understanding the team structure, and beginning role-specific training. Goals should be centered on absorbing information and building relationships.
Days 31-60: Contribute
In the second month, the new employee begins taking on responsibilities independently. Goals shift toward completing specific tasks, contributing to team projects, and demonstrating understanding of organizational processes.
Days 61-90: Own
By the third month, the employee should be functioning independently in their role. Goals focus on taking ownership of projects, identifying process improvements, and establishing themselves as a reliable team member.
Creating Effective Onboarding Plans
The HR Onboarding Document Generator helps HR professionals create comprehensive, role-specific onboarding plans that cover all essential elements from pre-boarding paperwork to 90-day milestone reviews. This ensures consistency across the organization and provides new managers with a proven framework for welcoming new team members.