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The Employee Experience in 2025: Why It Starts with Onboarding
Let’s take a moment to talk about experience. Not the kind of experience you list on a résumé, but the kind of experience you live every day at work—the interactions, processes, and culture that shape your perception of your employer. In today’s workplace, this is known as the Employee Experience (EX), and it’s quickly becoming a cornerstone of successful organizations.
If you’ve ever wondered why some companies seem to retain their top talent effortlessly while others struggle with turnover, the answer often lies in EX. According to research, employees with a positive experience at work are 16 times more engaged and 8 times more likely to stay with their employer compared to those with a negative experience. That’s not just a statistic—it’s a rallying cry for companies to get serious about creating workplaces that work for everyone.
As McKinsey & Company puts it, building a great EX isn’t about slapping a mission statement on the breakroom wall. It’s about adopting a design-thinking approach, where companies see their operations through the eyes of their employees and tailor every step of the journey to enhance satisfaction, productivity, and performance. And one of the most overlooked, yet critical, steps in that journey? New employee onboarding.
The Case for Onboarding as an EX Game-Changer
Let’s face it: onboarding has a reputation problem. It’s often seen as a bureaucratic hurdle—a stack of paperwork, a crash course on policies, and maybe a lukewarm welcome email. But what if I told you that this first step in an employee’s journey is actually one of the most influential?
The reality is staggering: 88% of companies admit their onboarding processes are subpar, even though good onboarding can increase employee retention by 82%. That’s not just a missed opportunity—it’s a glaring oversight. By investing in employee onboarding software, companies can transform this experience from a box-checking exercise to a powerful engagement tool.
Here’s how.
Streamlining the Administrative Avalanche
Traditional onboarding often feels like a paperwork black hole. Tax forms, benefits enrollment, compliance documents—it’s enough to overwhelm even the most excited new hire. Enter onboarding software, which digitizes these tasks and allows new employees to complete forms electronically, often before their first day.
Not only does this lighten the load for HR teams, but it also sets the tone for a modern, efficient workplace. When employees aren’t bogged down by administrative tasks, they can focus on integrating into their roles and teams.
Consistency Is Key
Consistency matters—not just in branding or messaging, but in how you onboard your people. Onboarding software standardizes the training experience across the organization, ensuring every new hire receives the same high-quality introduction.
Interactive modules, quizzes, and progress-tracking features keep the experience engaging and ensure information sticks. When employees have a consistent start, they’re better equipped to contribute quickly and confidently. And here’s the kicker: companies with aligned EX see 5.5 times higher employee engagement, according to a Gallup study.
Personalization: The Secret Sauce
In today’s workplace, personalization is no longer optional—it’s expected. Employees want onboarding experiences tailored to their roles, teams, and goals. Modern onboarding platforms make this possible by delivering customized content, from role-specific training to introductions to key team members.
As Oracle’s Vice President of Talent told HR Executive, “Employees want to feel seen, heard, and connected to their company.” Personalized onboarding doesn’t just fulfill this need—it amplifies it, showing employees from day one that they’re valued as individuals, not just headcount.
Communication That Connects
Have you ever started a new job and felt like you were shouting into the void with your questions? Poor communication during onboarding is a surefire way to create frustration. Thankfully, onboarding software includes tools that facilitate seamless interactions between new hires, managers, and colleagues.
From direct messaging to collaborative document sharing, these tools ensure employees get the answers they need when they need them. A study by The Harris Poll found that 72% of business leaders credit effective communication with boosting productivity—and onboarding is where it all begins.
Engagement from Day One
The first few weeks of a new job are critical. Research shows that employers have just 44 days to fully engage new hires, yet 44% of employees feel regret about their decision within the first week. That’s a sobering statistic, but one that can be mitigated with the right tools.
Onboarding software goes beyond logistics to deliver a truly engaging experience. Think welcome videos from the CEO, virtual office tours, and interactive modules that introduce company culture and values. Social features like employee directories and organizational charts make it easier for new hires to connect with their colleagues and find their place in the organization.
Retention and Satisfaction: The Endgame
Let’s not mince words: turnover is expensive. Replacing an employee can cost up to 33% of their annual salary, according to Work Institute. Good onboarding is one of the most effective ways to combat this, boosting retention by 82% and improving job satisfaction by 52%.
When employees feel supported, informed, and valued from day one, they’re more likely to stick around. It’s as simple—and as powerful—as that.
Want to Give Employee Onboarding Software a Try?
Employee onboarding software is a powerful tool that can transform the EX from a tedious necessity to an engaging and productive journey.
By streamlining administrative tasks, providing consistent and personalized training, enhancing communication, and fostering early engagement, this technology ensures that new hires are well-prepared and motivated to contribute to a company’s success. Investing in quality onboarding software is not just about efficiency; it’s about building a strong foundation for a positive and enduring employee experience.
About HiringThing
HiringThing is a modern recruiting and employee onboarding platform as a service that creates seamless talent experiences. Our white label solutions and open API enable technology and service providers to offer hiring and onboarding to their clients. Approachable and adaptable, the HiringThing HR platform empowers anyone, anywhere to build their dream team. For more information, visit hiringthing.com or follow us on LinkedIn, X, or YouTube.
