10 Key Employee Onboarding Statistics for 2025

Employee onboarding is the most critical phase of an employee's journey, as it sets the tone for their entire experience within an organisation. This initial stage is when new hires are introduced to company culture and trained up for their role. A well-structured onboarding process not only ensures that employees have the tools, resources and knowledge they need to succeed in their role, but also fosters a sense of belonging and alignment with the company’s mission. When done effectively, onboarding reduces turnover, accelerates time to productivity and increases long-term engagement, creating a solid foundation for the employee's success and a lasting, positive relationship with the company.

Discover key insights into employee onboarding to help set you up for success when creating an effective onboarding process for your organisation. By diving into the research, you can stay on top of onboarding trends to design an onboarding program that optimises for employee satisfaction, retention and engagement.

New Employee Onboarding: Current Trends & Key Statistics

1. Only 13% of employees are satisfied with their onboarding experience

The low onboarding satisfaction rate is often caused by disorganised onboarding processes, lack of clear communication and insufficient training, which fail to engage new hires effectively. This can leave employees feeling disconnected and unprepared for their role, leading to higher turnover and lower productivity.

(Source: Gartner)

2. Companies with a strong onboarding process improve employee retention by 82%

An intentional and strategic onboarding process significantly boosts employee retention, reducing turnover and the associated costs of recruiting and training new staff. By investing in comprehensive onboarding, companies can create a more engaged workforce, leading to improved performance and long-term organisational stability.

(Source: Glassdoor)

3. New employees are expected to complete an average of 54 onboarding activities

Onboarding can be overwhelming for new hires as it typically involves a high time commitment and juggling multiple tasks and priorities at once. A well-planned and streamlined onboarding process can help reduce the anxiety around starting a new job and help the new employee to navigate their onboarding activities efficiently without feeling overwhelmed.

(Source: Qualtrics)

4. 60% of organisations are not setting goals for new hires

Failing to set clear goals for new hires can lead to uncertainty and a lack of direction, hindering their ability to contribute effectively. A well-structured 30-60-90 day plan provides a roadmap for new employees, ensuring they stay focused, track progress and integrate smoothly into their new role.

(Source: Harvard Business Review)

5. Over 50% of new hires feel undertrained after onboarding

A gap in training often arises from onboarding programs that are either too generic or rushed, leaving little room for comprehensive skill-building. Without ongoing mentorship or structured learning, new hires may struggle to apply what they’ve learned and feel unprepared for the challenges of their roles.

(Source: Paychex)

6. 65% of new employees don’t have a dedicated point of contact for questions

Without a dedicated point of contact, new employees are more likely to feel isolated and unsupported, leading to frustration and uncertainty about their role and responsibilities. This lack of guidance can hinder their ability to perform effectively and negatively impact their job satisfaction and retention.

(Source: Bamboo HR)

7. Almost all new employees (96%) want their onboarding to include an overview of the company’s mission and values

Facilitating a comprehensive introduction to the company's mission and values early in the onboarding process helps to give the new employee a sense of belonging and ensures that they feel connected to the company’s broader goals.

(Source: Bamboo HR)

8. 64% of new employees did not receive preboarding materials

Preboarding keeps new hires engaged and excited before their start date, helping them feel connected to the company and its culture right from the outset. By offering early access to key resources, team introductions and a clear roadmap for their first days, preboarding ensures they hit the ground running and feel confident in their new role.

(Source: Talmundo)

9. 41% of HR teams plan to invest in onboarding software

Talent teams are increasingly investing in onboarding software to streamline and automate the onboarding process, making it more efficient and consistent across the organisation. Onboarding tech increasingly helps create a personalised, engaging experience for new hires, ensuring they are well-prepared, connected and aligned with company culture from day one.

(Source: Jobvite)

10. Companies are spending $1,100 on training per new employee

Small US-based companies typically spend around $1,100 on new hire training, which can be a significant investment per employee. In contrast, large companies are able to scale their training programs, reducing the cost to about $500 per new hire.

(Source: Statista)