Onboarding là gì?

Onboarding is the formal process through which a newly hired employee is integrated into an organization. Effective onboarding covers three dimensions: administrative (completing required paperwork and account setup), functional (training for the specific role and tools), and cultural (understanding the company's values, norms, communication styles, and ways of working). The onboarding period typically spans from the first day through the first 90 days, though comprehensive programs for complex roles may extend to six months or beyond.

The administrative dimension of onboarding is legally required and non-negotiable: completion of Form I-9 for employment eligibility verification (must be completed within 3 business days of the start date), W-4 federal withholding election, state withholding forms, direct deposit enrollment, benefits enrollment within the applicable election period, and acknowledgment of receipt of the employee handbook and any key policies such as harassment, confidentiality, and acceptable use. Equipment provisioning, system access setup, and safety training for applicable roles also fall in this category.

The functional dimension involves providing the new employee with the knowledge, tools, and relationships needed to become productive in their specific role. This includes role-specific training, introductions to key internal and external contacts, explanation of processes and workflows, and clarity on performance expectations and 90-day objectives. Research consistently shows that clarity about role expectations in the first weeks is the strongest predictor of new-hire retention in the first year.