Induction vs. Onboarding – what’s the difference, and why does it matter?

I often get asked what the difference is between Induction and Onboarding. While often used interchangeably, induction and onboarding serve different – but equally vital – purposes in an employee journey.

Induction is typically a short-term, task-focused introduction. It covers the essentials like company policies, procedures, systems and compliance. Onboarding on the other hand, is a broader, more strategic process. It’s about embedding new employees into your culture, aligning them with your business goals, and setting them up for long-term success

A well-designed onboarding program does more than tick boxes. It:

• Equips new employees with the tools and knowledge to excel

• Fosters collaboration and enhances team engagement

• Seamlessly integrates people into your culture from day one

• Boosts retention by helping people feel valued, supported and empowered

• Accelerates time-to-productivity and contribution
  

In today’s competitive landscape, onboarding isn’t just a nice to have — it’s a strategic advantage. Curious how your onboarding experience stacks up? Let’s start the conversation!