Employee Onboarding vs Orientation: What is the Difference?

When a new employee starts at a company, you’ll often hear the terms onboarding vs orientation.  

Some companies assume that if they have an onboarding process, they don’t really need a separate orientation—or the other way around. 

While people often mix these terms up, they actually refer to two different but important steps that HR teams take after someone gets hired.

Both onboarding vs orientation work together to help new hires get comfortable with the company vibe and set them up to succeed in their jobs, but they have some key differences. 

In this article, we’ll explore the differences between onboarding vs orientation and how effective talent management addresses both of these important processes.

What is Employee Onboarding?

The onboarding process is about welcoming new employees to the team by guiding them through a series of connected tasks. 

These activities help them understand what their jobs are all about and what’s expected of them. 

Onboarding isn’t just a quick thing; it’s a journey that can last several months, making sure new hires get fully settled into their roles and the company vibe. 

The main goal is to ensure that employees not only get a handle on their responsibilities but also feel engaged and valued in the workplace. 

Some key parts of the onboarding process include:

• Hands-on training that is specifically tailored to the employee's job functions.  

• Establishing clear performance expectations and goals.

• Regular check-ins that create opportunities to discuss progress, tackle any challenges, and provide support.

• Assisting new hires in connecting with the company culture.

What Are the Benefits of Onboarding?

A solid onboarding process for new hires can really benefit both the organization and the employees. 

• When you properly onboard someone—by training them for success, sharing company expectations, and checking in regularly—it creates a great vibe and supports an employee-focused culture. 

• Getting new employees familiar with the company’s values, ethics, and mission can really amp up their engagement. 

• A good onboarding experience can also help attract future talent. However, if a new employee walks away feeling let down by their onboarding, it can hurt your employer branding.

• Onboarding is key to getting everyone aligned with the company values, and it can also give a nice boost to productivity and mental health at work. 

What is Employee Orientation?

Orientation is generally a brief, initial process that takes place within the first few days of a new employee’s arrival. 

The main goal is to familiarize new hires with the company, its policies, and its culture. 

During orientation, employees receive crucial information that helps them adjust to their new workplace:

Human Resources and company leaders typically share this info through presentations, videos, and interactive Q&A sessions, either in person or online.

Here’s a rundown of what employee orientation usually includes:

• Learn about your company’s mission, vision, and values.
• Review important policies on safety, health, and security.
• Receive company-issued materials and equipment, like parking tags, building key cards, and laptops.
• Discuss compensation plans and how to enroll.
• Complete mandatory new-hire paperwork.
• Get an overview of administrative procedures.
• Meet key organizational contacts, including a HR representative and manager. 

If your organization doesn’t have an HR department, consider working with an outsourcing partner like TROIS Collective, who can handle both the orientation and parts of the onboarding process.

What Are the Benefits of Orientation?

Orientation, just like onboarding, has great perks for both new hires and companies:

• A solid orientation helps new employees get up to speed with their jobs quickly, which keeps costs down and boosts productivity.  

• It gives them a chance to learn about the company's processes and what's expected of them before diving into their roles.  

• Plus, it can help cut down on staff turnover.  

• When new employees are oriented well, they get the lowdown on the tools and resources at their disposal, making their transition smoother and setting them up for success.  

• It also saves time for managers and teammates, letting everyone focus on their work.

Key Difference Between Onboarding vs Orientation

When it comes to HR management, whether you have a fractional HR team or an in-house team, it's crucial to ensure that both onboarding and orientation are completed effectively.

Let’s take a closer look at the differences between the two.

Onboarding

• Purpose: Integration into the specific role and team.

• Timeframe: Extended process, often spanning several months. 

• Format: Personalized approach, involving on-the-job training and mentorship. 

• Information: In-depth training tailored to the employee's specific role and responsibilities. 

• Result: New hires are actively contributing to their team and understanding their impact. 

Orientation

• Purpose: Introduction to the company and its culture.

• Timeframe: Short-term event, typically lasting a few hours to a couple of days.

• Format: Group setting, often in a classroom or virtual format.

• Information: Overview of company policies, mission, and values.

• Result: Helps employees feel welcomed and informed about the organization, fostering initial engagement. 

In Summary

Onboarding vs orientation are two distinct processes that bring significant advantages to both employers and employees when best practices are followed.

Orientation is about getting new hires familiar with the company, while onboarding takes it a step further by offering the support and tools they need to succeed in the long run.

If you're unsure how to begin your onboarding and orientation guidelines, feel free to reach out to us here to collaborate with our expert team.