10 Employee onboarding statistics for 2025

Adjusting to a new job can be overwhelming, especially when new hires lack support in their new roles. Whether you’re a big or small company, onboarding statistics offer valuable insights into trends in employee engagement and retention. These insights can help convince senior stakeholders to update or improve your current onboarding practices.

From tracking new hire no-shows to addressing pre- and post-interview ghosting, these statistics offer insider data into the common challenges faced during the onboarding process. So let’s explore how effective onboarding strategies can reduce risk for your business below.

What are onboarding statistics and why are they important?

Data from employee onboarding statistics give insight into the latest hiring trends and retention rates globally. They measure the effectiveness of onboarding processes for recruits, ranging from turnover to engagement levels.

Understanding these statistics helps you reassess your organization’s programs to improve the employee onboarding experience. With these metrics, your management can identify best practices, tailor training sessions, and create targeted strategies for the workforce.

10 Onboarding statistics you should know

We've collected 10 vital statistics to help you reevaluate your onboarding experience. Discover what attracts top talent and effective strategies for retaining your workforce.

80% of employees planning to quit their jobs felt undertrained from poor onboarding

Poor onboarding significantly affects a company’s turnover rate. Paychex similarly finds that when the onboarding process fails to meet expectations, many choose to leave. 80% of these employees said they felt undertrained during the process.

So what are practical ways to improve your onboarding process? Paychex’s survey offers the following tips you can share with human resource management:

• Simplifying the process
• Planning a memorable welcome experience
• Discussing career development opportunities
• Assigning a mentor or buddy
• Involving the team

Investing in employee training is critical to motivating your workforce. When you give your team the best resources to excel in their roles, they gain confidence and clarity from the get-go. 

Mobile-first onboarding platforms like SC Training (formerly EdApp) stand out as exceptional solutions for addressing these challenges. With features such as customizable learning paths, gamified microlessons, and real-time analytics, you can customize training programs every step of the way.

Create first impressions that last with memorable onboarding experiences.

Over three in five job seekers are planning to ghost employers during their future job searches

The trend of ghosting employers is here to stay, as Indeed’s 2023 Survey with Censuswide shows. The top job site shares that while some job seekers feel guilty, over three in five plan to ghost again, with 62% of them finding ghosting a source of relief and empowerment. 

The number of US applicants (23%) who felt empowered when they ghosted their employer is higher than their Canadian (12%) and UK (10%) counterparts. However, many also believe that there’s nothing wrong with ghosting. Some explained they had received poor treatment and were similarly ghosted by employers during the next round of interviews.

One in four employees ghosted their employers by quitting without explanation or notice

Nowadays, younger generations have a rising tendency to ghost their workplace. One in four millennials and Gen Zs admitted to ghosting without giving a notice or explanation. This is drawn from the Thriving Center of Pysch’s survey of 1,000 respondents.

When asked for their reasons why, they gave the following answers:

• No longer interested in the job
• Found another job opportunity
• Experienced a negative interview situation

22% of job seekers don’t show up for the first day of work after accepting an offer

Starting a new job can be tough at times. Indeed reports 22% of job seekers do not show up for the first day of work, despite previously accepting an offer. Many gave reasons beyond recruiters’ control, such as realizing the job isn’t the right fit or receiving another job offer.

This creates major challenges for employers, who must quickly find a suitable replacement. But Indeed offers tips to help remedy this. Remind your recruiters to prioritize open communication and maintain professional attitudes. Incorporating this in your workforce development programs can encourage job seekers to be more transparent about their decisions.

61% of applicants were ghosted after their job interview

Job seekers aren’t the only ones doing the ghosting. Data from Greenhouse, a hiring software company reveals that 61% of applicants were ghosted after a job interview. The reason? Many recruiters are feeling overwhelmed by the number of AI applications they receive.

Onboarding statistics note that AI can improve a resume in many ways. Top uses include giving formatting tips, keyword suggestions, and spell checks. So it’s no surprise that candidates are more confident applying to different job postings. Ultimately, this leaves recruiters with a larger-than-expected talent pool.

70% of employees believe the onboarding process is critical to a new hire’s experience

The onboarding process greatly impacts a new hire’s experience. Paychex, a human capital advisory firm, found that 70% of employees believe onboarding can make or break a new hire’s experience.

Understanding this data can help you reassess your onboarding setup. Are there areas where you could make it more informative and engaging–especially for remote teams? Treat the importance of onboarding like a crash course about your workplace. Be transparent about company culture, team dynamics, and growth opportunities.

94% of job seekers face little to no consequences after ghosting employers

Ghosting employers can be risky and embarrassing for some. However, 94% of job seekers receive little to no consequences for it, according to Indeed’s latest onboarding trends. While 41% were worried it might affect future applications, the former figure reflects that this is rarely the case.

It’s up to employers to take practical measures to avoid this. Two proven ways are to store records of new hires who don’t show up or note those who miss their interviews. While this change may not happen immediately, it can inspire more companies to do the same.

Employees with a strong onboarding experience are 2.6 times more likely to feel satisfied with their jobs

Employee satisfaction and retention are directly linked to onboarding. Multinational research company Gallup finds that employees with an exceptional onboarding experience are 2.6 times more likely to feel satisfied with their jobs. This influences their decision to stay with the company.

So if you’re expecting a pool of top performers, be sure to give your new hires the onboarding experience they deserve. Design a clear onboarding plan, give out welcome packages, and host catch-ups and team-building activities.

36% of remote workers felt confused with their onboarding experience

The onboarding process is trickier for remote workers. In Paychex’s recent survey, 36% were confused about their onboarding process. This statistic is higher compared to onsite and hybrid employees. 

Some factors influencing this include the lack of face-to-face interaction, limited hands-on training, and communication barriers. If your company employs remote workers, consider reviewing the effectiveness of your current onboarding process. Are you giving them enough support and guidance? If not, there’s always room for improvement.

81% of new hires prefer to receive details about their new role during the pre-boarding stage

Pre-boarding is important to a new hire’s experience and loyalty, too. Harver, a hiring solution, explains that the early months of employment can make or break someone's decision to stay. 81% of new hires prefer to receive role details during this time. Pre-boarding refers to the time when an applicant accepts a job offer on their first day at work.

During pre-boarding, your team should proactively prepare your recruits for their official start date. Share resources, communicate the benefits, and highlight other HR processes through email. Additionally, encourage their manager to send invite links to upcoming meetings once their company email is activated. This way, they’ll know what to expect in the coming weeks.

How effective is onboarding?

Onboarding can do wonders for employee engagement and retention. While a new job opens doors to growth opportunities, a poor onboarding process can leave recruits second-guessing their decision. So it’s up to your management to prevent this from happening. 

With an organized onboarding system in place, you can facilitate a smoother transition for new hires. This equips them with the necessary knowledge and skills they need to perform their jobs efficiently from the get-go. Here are the top benefits of improving the onboarding experience:

• Higher retention rates: Onboarding is the chance to show your new hires the company’s culture and values. When employees feel like their goals align with yours, they’re more likely to stay longer and thrive in their roles.
• Increased engagement: Reminding your employees that they play a valuable role from day one creates a positive experience. This immediate recognition creates a strong sense of belonging. 
• Boosted productivity: Setting clear expectations and scheduling regular catch-ups help new hires better understand their roles and responsibilities. This can minimize confusion and miscommunication.

Onboard your teams faster with SC Training

Develop the best onboarding strategy with SC Training, an all-in-one onboarding LMS for human resource teams. Explore these top-rated solutions to help you create an amazing first impression from day one:

• Simplify the post-hiring communication process with invite links and bulk email.
• Train teams anytime and anywhere through its mobile-first approach.
• Automate your training reminders with mandatory and recurring courses.
• Give new hires access to essential training and policy materials with built-in file storage.

But that’s not all. Easily launch your onboarding courses with our customizable course library. From diversity to cybersecurity and harassment prevention, preview some of our courses built in partnership with or accredited by industry leaders:

• Karamo Brown’s DEI Training
• USA Harassment Prevention Training (state-specific)
• USA Harassment Prevention (Supervisors)
• Cyber Fundamentals
• Creating a Positive Customer Experience

Drive momentum from hire to start date with our mobile-first onboarding LMS.