We probably don't need to tell you anymore how important it is to offer your new employee a hot bath right away and roll out the red carpet as far as possible. Indeed: good onboarding really doesn't need an introduction anymore. Especially not with the current labor market.
If you still want to warm up to this blog, we'll tell you one more time why good onboarding is so important:
The benefits of good onboarding are therefore many. However, we notice that it is far from always possible to properly incorporate every fresh colleague into the culture and way of working of the organisation. There can be many reasons for this. Of course, there is quite a bit involved if you want to onboard properly. Arrange a workplace, set up a laptop and phone, draw up contracts, give a tour, explain systems and also make someone feel welcome. Sometimes, due to illness, vacation or vacancies within the organisation, there is simply not enough manpower to go through all those steps. Or there are unexpected developments that should be given priority, delaying onboarding and ultimately being forgotten. But it is also possible that the new colleague drops out early, because the onboarding does not meet his or her expectations, or (and that is completely dangerous!) al is scheduled in the workplace because work has to be done. And then the onboarding program flies right back into your face. Right where you don't want it.
Fortunately, things can also be done differently. And smarter, too. By using digital onboarding, e-learning and a handy checklist, you will avoid forgetting important steps, structure the onboarding and calm your agenda.
Let's take a look at some of our tips with you:
Lifelong learning: the HR world is buzzing around like a mantra, and for good reason. In many areas, developments are happening very fast, even though we in the Netherlands have to stay active in the labor market longer and longer. E-learning is an accessible online way of transferring knowledge that is being used in more and more organizations. By building an easily accessible online knowledge platform where everyone can work on their development at their own pace and at their own level. Introduce your new employee to the possibilities of e-learning within the organisation immediately upon arrival. Not only because it immediately becomes clear that he or she has joined a progressive employer, who stimulates career opportunities and personal development, by the way. Linking e-learning to onboarding also offers you the opportunity to immediately inform your new addition about important safety rules, standard procedures and other essential knowledge that are necessary for the first day of work. Are they overwhelmed by all that new information? Then they can read it at their leisure at a later date. So create an account before the first day of work and integrate digital onboarding into your knowledge platform, then the important first step has already been taken!
Digital onboarding is very useful. This includes a (partially) automated onboarding procedure, which allows new employees to get acquainted with the organisation, their role and everything that comes with it through e-learning modules, videos, checklists and other online tools. The advantage of digital onboarding is that you can plan the various steps ahead, so you don't have to worry about it yourself. And at the other end of the line, the employee receives new information and reminders over and over again, so that the connection stays warm.
Digital onboarding can be about anything, including:
Of course, onboarding is a serious topic, but remember to alternate “heavy” information with a funny video or interactive game from time to time. Inserting can also be fun! Such a digital onboarding program definitely has advantages. Just to name a few: everyone gets the same basic information, it saves HR staff, management and other stakeholders a lot of time because they don't have to tell the same story over and over again, and if you build it modularly, you can easily adapt the program to the new colleague's job, experience and learning pace.
Such a to-do list may sound a bit old-school, but don't underestimate it! Once you have carefully built up a checklist for good onboarding, you'll enjoy it for years to come. Use it as a support for yourself, your colleagues and, of course, the new employee. List the components of the onboarding program pointwise. Start one week before the first day of work, Continue to the first day of work itself, the first week of work, et cetera. Don't stop onboarding too soon, think at least a year ahead. Think of it as a good investment: the longer you give your new employee the right attention, the stronger the connection with the organisation becomes. By going through and designing the various action points step by step, you can be sure that you don't forget anything important when onboarding. And how nice is it to tick off what you've already done?! Hardly anything is so satisfying!
Of course, you can work with Post-its, or fill up your whiteboard with all the important action points, if that makes you really happy. But we've made it even easier for you: there's a real one interactive onboarding checklist ready for you, which you can request from us in no time.
Of course, onboarding is much more than just checking off a practical to-do list online. It is an important start to a new working relationship. This means that sufficient attention must also be paid to personal contact and interaction between colleagues, but it is precisely by smartly digitising the onboarding process and enriching it with e-learning that you can ensure personal customization. This allows you to offer new colleagues exactly the attention in a structured, effective way that allows them to feel at home more quickly and can get to work more effectively. Do you also want to take your onboarding to the next level, but you're not sure where to start? Pluvo helps you get started.
Schedule a free demo with Pluvo. We'll show you how the platform works, what's eligible and what's not, and how to strategically build your application. This way, you'll be ready for September 2025 and for the opportunities in 2026.
As an educational expert specialising in online learning, I have been writing blogs for Pluvo for 5 years. My focus is on powerful learning solutions for organisations. Universal Design for Learning and inclusive learning are my passion; I believe that education should be accessible and fun for everyone.
I've been combining my 35 years of HR experience with copywriting for over 15 years. And even then, I learn new things over and over again. That's what makes writing blogs for Pluvo so incredibly interesting!
