Enhancing Employee Retention Through Smarter Onboarding and Recognition

Turnover may be easing, but retention remains a top challenge for leaders. One key to improvement? Refining your onboarding process to drive connection, value, and growth from day one.

Employee retention remains a significant challenge, even as turnover rates show slight improvement. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5.2 million employees separated from their jobs in December 2024, with 3.3 million voluntarily quitting. Gallup’s May 2024 survey found that 51% of U.S. employees are still watching for new opportunities—the lowest commitment level in nine years.

Why Auditing Onboarding Procedures Matters

Improving retention isn’t about adding more processes, it’s about reviewing current strategies to identify opportunities for improvement. Companies should evaluate whether their onboarding process:

• Pulls associates into the company culture and makes them feel connected.
• Makes new hires feel valued for their contributions.
• Shows a clear path for future growth and advancement.
• Reduces overwhelm, especially for service roles in retail and franchise settings.

Common Onboarding Pitfalls

•  Lack of Structure: Unclear roadmaps leave new hires confused and disengaged.
• Inconsistent Manager Training: Variability across locations leads to uneven experiences.
• Overwhelming Information: Too much content too quickly reduces retention.
• Missed Cultural Integration: New hires fail to connect with company values.
• No Path for Growth: Unclear advancement opportunities reduce long-term engagement.

Strategies for Smarter Onboarding and Recognition

• Review and Refine Procedures: Regularly assess onboarding materials and experiences to identify areas for improvement.
• Cultural Integration: Infuse company values into every touchpoint of the onboarding experience.
• Role-Specific Training: Deliver content tailored to new hires’ roles to make learning actionable.
• Early and Ongoing Recognition: Celebrate milestones such as 30, 60, and 90-day anniversaries to foster engagement.
• Manager Alignment: Standardize manager procedures to ensure consistency across locations.

How ViaTech Supports Smarter Onboarding Strategies

ViaTech helps organizations enhance their onboarding programs through solutions that elevate the employee experience, including:

• Personalized Welcome Kits: Producing tailored, branded materials that make new hires feel valued from day one.
• Onboarding Training Guides: Equipping managers with printed resources to ensure consistent onboarding practices across all locations.
• Targeted Training Materials: Delivering role-specific guides to ensure new hires receive clear, actionable information.
• Recognition Solutions: Supporting milestone programs with branded merchandise to celebrate key anniversaries.

Building an Onboarding Experience that Lasts

Effective onboarding isn’t just about logistics—it’s about creating meaningful first impressions that drive long-term success. Companies that regularly review their programs, personalize their materials, and celebrate milestones lay the foundation for higher engagement and lower turnover. Aligning consistent, role-specific training and recognition ensures new hires feel connected, valued, and prepared for success from day one.

Ready to transform your onboarding process and boost employee retention?

Contact ViaTech today to discover how our tailored solutions can make a difference.