Onboarding: How to get your new employees up to speed within 90 days

CIPD research shows that 20% of new hires leave within the first 45 days if onboarding is weak.

Effective onboarding makes employees 2.6x more likely to stay.

The first 90 days can make or break a new employee's success in your business.

Your 90-day roadmap

Breaking down the first 3 months helps to set clear expectations and build confidence:

First 30 days: Getting orientated

• Provide clear job expectations so that they can start contributing sooner

• Introduce team and company culture to help them to integrate quickly

• Set up initial training and resources to reduce your management time

• Help them to understand how their role fits the bigger picture and drives business goals

30-60 days: Starting to contribute

• Give initial projects with clear guidance to minimise rework

• Schedule regular check-ins to catch and address potential issues early

• Provide constructive feedback to accelerate their learning curve

• Support them in building internal relationships that improve team efficiency

60-90 days: Building ownership

• Increase project complexity to test and develop their capabilities

• Set measurable performance goals that align with business objectives

• Review progress and potential to inform future development

• Discuss long-term development to improve retention and succession planning

Practical tips that make a difference

A structured approach helps new hires to become productive faster:

• Assign a buddy or mentor to speed up their learning

• Create a clear first-week schedule to reduce your management overhead

• Provide all necessary resources upfront to minimise disruptions

• Schedule regular manager check-ins to stay ahead of potential issues

• Be clear about communication channels and expectations to prevent misunderstandings

Common pitfalls to avoid

Don't just throw new hires in at the deep end. Avoid:

• Inconsistent or unclear instructions that lead to wasted time

• Lack of initial support that increases your management burden

• Overwhelming with too much information

• Forgetting to provide context about the business

Making onboarding work for your business

A thoughtful onboarding process isn't just nice to have. It's a strategic investment that:

• Speeds up productivity

• Reduces early-stage turnover

• Builds employee confidence

• Protects your recruitment investment

Let's get this right

Good onboarding takes planning, but it pays off in faster productivity, stronger retention and a more engaged team.

Get in touch to create a tailored onboarding plan that helps your new hires to deliver value faster and sets them up for long-term success.