Benefits of Induction: 6 Ways a Strong Process Boosts Retention

For any business in the security or cleaning sectors, managing staff turnover is a top priority. The constant cycle of hiring and training impacts operational stability and eats into profit margins. According to the global analytics and advisory firm Gallup, this problem is often preventable, with 42% of employees who voluntarily left their jobs reporting that their organisation could have done something to prevent them from leaving. This makes an effective employee induction important for improving retention from day one.

How do you ensure that you keep your staff turnover number down? The answer lies in building the foundations for creating a welcoming, inclusive and respectful work environment. This begins right at the beginning of the induction training. When implemented correctly, there are significant benefits of induction that both the employee and employer can experience. 

What Is an Induction and What Should It Include?

An employee induction is a structured onboarding process that systematically introduces new hires to their roles, responsibilities, and the company’s culture and operational procedures. It aims to give employees a full view of the business, providing the essential tools, information, and support needed to become productive team members quickly.

This process is more than a welcome. It provides the support needed to help new hires transition easily into their roles and sets them up for long-term success.

To be effective, the programme should be treated as a structured checklist that covers six key areas:

• Workspace and Facility Orientation: Tour the office and facilities to get the lay of the land and get comfortable in their new working environment.
• Systems and Technology Training: Walk through the website and relevant IT systems so that the new employee is taken through the various software solutions utilised by the business. For example, if they use EasyRoster for employee scheduling or rostering, the employee will need to understand how the software works.
• Team and Stakeholder Introductions: Meet senior leadership team and key stakeholders they are likely to work with regularly. It is vital for the new employee to meet their team members and clients right off the bat so that they can familiarise themselves with how everyone fits into the company structure.
• Role and Responsibility Deep-Dive: Run through the employee’s roles and functions and how they fit into the team. This will help the new employee define their responsibilities and roles and understand what tasks fall under their portfolio. It is also essential to discuss collaboration and how it looks within the business and different teams.
• Health and Safety Briefing: Go through any specific health and safety regulations that the new employee would need to stick to. This could relate to how and where to store cleaning supplies in the case of cleaning business or how to keep weapons in the case of security companies etc.
• Team Welcome: This is an excellent way for a new employee to meet the team and other employees in a relaxed social setting. Not only is this a great way to welcome new employees, but it also showcases the company culture.

By covering these points, you provide the structure new hires need to thrive. This directly leads to the tangible benefits of induction for your business, which we discuss in more detail below.

6 Business Benefits of an Effective Induction

An induction training plan can benefit the business in six key ways when effectively put into place. The benefits of induction include:

1. Reduces employee turnover – when an employee is given the right tools and information necessary to do their job and knows that the team is supportive and that there is a welcoming and understanding company culture, they are more likely to stay than leave. This reduces employee turnover.

For example, a security officer without a proper induction may feel isolated and undervalued and resign quickly, increasing rehiring costs. A structured welcome ensures they feel confident and part of the team.

2. Ensures operational efficiency – by implementing an induction plan for new employees, you set them up for success. From the beginning, they will know exactly what their tasks are and what performance goals need to be reached, enhancing operational efficiency and productivity.

A new cleaning hire servicing a hospital for example, must know the specific sanitation standards from day one. An effective induction provides this information upfront, ensuring they work correctly and efficiently to maintain the client’s SLA.

3. Makes new employees feel respected – this training program enhances how employees think about their business and know they are valued because of the time taken to help them transition into their new role.

When a site manager personally dedicates time to welcome a new team member, it sends a powerful message. This investment shows the new hire they are a valued part of the organisation, which fosters immediate loyalty and motivation.

4. Improves performance and productivity – when employees can effectively use the technology systems and software that the company uses, they can optimise their time and improve their overall productivity.

For example, a supervisor trained on a system like EasyRoster during induction can immediately build efficient schedules. This avoids any manual errors and directly boosts their productivity from week one.

5. Develops a culture of inclusiveness – when an employee feels included in a work environment, they are more likely to enjoy their work, which enhances morale, overall efficiency and decreases their want to leave.
   
   When the induction process includes a welcome lunch and explains the company’s open-door policy, a new employee feels more comfortable participating. This sense of belonging encourages them to contribute ideas, strengthening workplace culture.
   
6. Opens lines of communication – an induction training program creates open lines of communication between the employer and employee from the start. The employee can be sure that they can go and talk to their managers and feel comfortable doing so because of the induction process.
   
   For example, a new cleaner who learns the correct procedure for reporting low stock levels during induction will feel confident raising the issue immediately. This prevents supply shortages at a client site.

Maximise the Benefits of Induction

As we’ve explored, the benefits of induction are clear and directly impact business success. A structured onboarding process is a critical investment that reduces employee turnover, ensures operational efficiency, and builds a positive, inclusive company culture from day one. By setting up new hires for success, you enhance productivity, collaboration, and communication across the organisation.

However, a successful induction is just the first step in a wider strategy of effective workforce management. To maintain momentum and support your team long-term, you need streamlined processes and the right technology.

To learn more about how to optimise every aspect of your team’s lifecycle, from onboarding to daily operations, download our comprehensive Workforce Management Software Whitepaper.