Understanding the Difference Between Induction and Onboarding
As small business owners and managers, we often use 'onboarding' and 'induction' interchangeably. But are they really the same thing? At Concinnity, we think NOT.
Let’s explore why treating employee onboarding as distinct from employee induction can significantly benefit your organisation and why you should consider an e-induction program.
Onboarding: The necessary stuff
When a new employee joins your organisation, many steps are involved, primarily for the organisation's benefit. These steps often include significant form-filling by the employee, such as:
Employee contact details
Superannuation and payroll information
Workplace and IT access
Training, education, or employment records
Agreement to organisational policies
Acknowledgement that they have read the relevant legislation
Onboarding focuses on fulfilling Industrial Relations (IR) compliance and ensuring legal coverage for the business. These steps are crucial; employees can't get paid without providing payroll details, and the essential administrative tasks must be completed. However, these steps are basic and obligatory. They ensure that all legislative requirements are met but do little to help employees perform their jobs, avoid mistakes, become productive faster, or feel part of the team.
Induction: Embracing and understanding the business
Employee induction is a much broader experience. If onboarding helps an employee enter the door to your organisation, induction takes employees on a tour of your organisation! Induction is an engaging and active process for the employee, their manager, and the organisation. It focuses on the culture and what makes your business unique. Induction seeks to 'make a new employee behave like an experienced employee,' requiring more effort than simple form-filling.
Despite its importance, induction is not a requirement in many organisations, which often only have onboarding processes in place. These processes meet the basics—legal or regulatory requirements—but do not help employees learn how to do their jobs effectively.
The Benefits of a Structured Employee Induction Program
For employee induction to be successful, a solid plan must be in place and consistently executed. This means not only providing the necessary staff but also integrating your business's cultural and unique aspects.
Onboarding is only one part of an Induction Process
Separating onboarding from induction can allow your organisation to improve the new employee experience. Labelling onboarding for what it is—getting a new employee 'on board'—helps the organisation realise that employee induction is more than form-filling. It’s an organisation-wide responsibility where all teams have vital roles to play.
Here are some benefits organisations reap when they commit to a structured, consistent employee induction program:
Make the New Employee Feel Valued: Involve new hires in your operations to show that you’re committed to their success and to building a strong relationship.
Streamline Orientation Tasks: Automating administrative induction tasks frees up staff time and reduces the training load.
Increase Employee Retention: Good induction practices are closely linked to higher employee satisfaction and retention rates.
Open Communication Lines: A well-structured induction process encourages conversations and relationships throughout your organisation.
Develop a Workplace Culture of Inclusiveness: Properly managed induction helps form bonds that build company culture.
Win the Talent Battle: Strong, consistent induction practices enhance your organisation’s reputation.
Save Money and Time: A scalable, repeatable induction process reduces the need for face-to-face training sessions.
Fast-Track the Path to Productivity
It takes time for any new hire to become productive. Waiting for face-to-face training sessions lengthens that process. An online platform, available 24/7 on any device, allows new starters to access the information they need when and where they need it.
Development pathways help new staff quickly identify best practices, avoid bad habits, and understand internal processes, jargon, and tools.
Top 10 Mistakes in Employee Inductions
Being unprepared
Radio silence
Overwhelming information
Overwhelming paperwork
Impersonal experience
Small introductions
Unclear responsibilities
Language assumptions
No feedback
Training stops
Bonus Mistake #11: No induction platform
Why Choose Concinnity?
At Concinnity, we understand the importance of a structured and engaging induction program. Our e-induction packages are mobile accessible, suitable for group sessions, and include self-checks to ensure comprehension. Available at a special price of $990 before the end of July, our packages can transform your staff handbooks into online modules, ensuring a smooth and effective induction process for your new hires.
By partnering with Concinnity, you ensure that your new recruits receive a comprehensive and engaging induction experience, setting the stage for their success and your organisation’s growth.
Further information can be found here.