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Glossar der Begriffe des Personalmanagements und der Sozialleistungen für Arbeitnehmer

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Onboard Rewards

Employee onboarding rewards are incentives or recognition initiatives given to new hires during or after their onboarding process. These rewards help build motivation, make new hires feel valued, and boost engagement from day one. This glossary explores the what, why, and how of using onboarding rewards effectively.

What are onboarding rewards?

Employee onboarding rewards are incentives, gifts, or recognition given to new hires to make their transition into the company smoother and more welcoming. These rewards can range from physical welcome kits and digital badges to early milestone bonuses and public acknowledgments. The goal is to create a positive first impression, strengthen employer branding, and increase engagement right from the start.

By incorporating rewards into onboarding, companies signal appreciation for the new hire’s decision to join, help reinforce company culture, and encourage early retention. These programs are becoming more common as organizations prioritise employee experience during the critical first few weeks.

Why are employee onboarding rewards important?

Rewarding new hires during onboarding plays a powerful role in early engagement and long-term retention. It helps them feel seen, valued, and excited about the journey ahead.

Improves the first impression of the company
Builds trust and loyalty from day one
Boosts morale and reduces early attrition
Reinforces a culture of recognition
Encourages faster integration into teams and workflows
Sets the tone for a strong employer-employee relationship

Who should receive employee onboarding rewards?

Employee onboarding rewards are typically designed for all new hires across departments and levels. However, the style and value of rewards can vary depending on the role, seniority, or onboarding stage.

Organizations can personalize rewards for:

Full-time and part-time employees
Remote and in-office hires
Senior executives or key hires
Interns and graduate trainees
Employees shifting to new roles internally

Where are employee onboarding rewards used?

Onboarding rewards can be delivered across different environments and settings depending on the organization’s onboarding process.

During orientation sessions (physical or virtual)
Via email or internal platforms (e.g., digital badges)
In welcome kits shipped to remote hires
At team introductions or kick-off meetings
Through intranet or HR software tools

When should you give employee onboarding rewards?

Timing matters in onboarding rewards. The earlier a new hire feels appreciated, the stronger the connection to the company.

On the first day of joining
At the end of the first week
Upon completion of training modules
After first project completion
During their 30-, 60-, or 90-day milestones

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What are the different types of employee onboarding rewards?

There are various types of onboarding rewards—ranging from one-time gestures to structured reward programs. Choosing the right mix ensures a memorable experience.

Welcome kits with branded items (t-shirts, mugs, notebooks)
Gift cards or e-vouchers for online platforms
Personalized thank-you notes or video messages
Access to wellness perks or subscriptions
Digital badges and shoutouts on internal platforms
Milestone bonuses or performance-based early incentives
Invitations to team lunches or virtual meetups

What are employee onboarding reward programs?

Employee onboarding reward programs are structured initiatives that systematically offer rewards to new hires during their onboarding phase. These programs aim to reduce early turnover, encourage faster engagement, and make new hires feel part of the team from the start.

A good onboarding reward program is often managed by HR or People Ops and integrates with onboarding checklists and timelines. It tracks progress, ensures consistency, and reinforces a culture of appreciation early in the employee lifecycle. The rewards are often tied to specific events—like completing training, meeting first goals, or finishing probation successfully.

Umfragen zum Puls der Mitarbeiter:

Es handelt sich um kurze Umfragen, die häufig verschickt werden können, um schnell zu erfahren, was Ihre Mitarbeiter über ein Thema denken. Die Umfrage umfasst weniger Fragen (nicht mehr als 10), um die Informationen schnell zu erhalten. Sie können in regelmäßigen Abständen durchgeführt werden (monatlich/wöchentlich/vierteljährlich).

Treffen unter vier Augen:

Regelmäßige, einstündige Treffen für ein informelles Gespräch mit jedem Teammitglied sind eine hervorragende Möglichkeit, ein echtes Gefühl dafür zu bekommen, was mit ihnen passiert. Da es sich um ein sicheres und privates Gespräch handelt, können Sie so mehr Details über ein Problem erfahren.

eNPS:

Der eNPS (Employee Net Promoter Score) ist eine der einfachsten, aber effektivsten Methoden, um die Meinung Ihrer Mitarbeiter über Ihr Unternehmen zu ermitteln. Er enthält eine interessante Frage, die die Loyalität misst. Ein Beispiel für eNPS-Fragen sind: Wie wahrscheinlich ist es, dass Sie unser Unternehmen weiter empfehlen? Die Mitarbeiter beantworten die eNPS-Umfrage auf einer Skala von 1 bis 10, wobei 10 bedeutet, dass sie das Unternehmen mit hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit weiterempfehlen würden, und 1 bedeutet, dass sie es mit hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit nicht weiterempfehlen würden.

Anhand der Antworten können die Arbeitnehmer in drei verschiedene Kategorien eingeteilt werden:

Projektträger
Mitarbeiter, die positiv geantwortet oder zugestimmt haben.
Kritiker
Mitarbeiter, die sich negativ geäußert haben oder nicht einverstanden waren.
Passive
Mitarbeiter, die sich bei ihren Antworten neutral verhalten haben.

How do you implement employee onboarding rewards effectively?

A good onboarding rewards strategy needs thoughtful planning, personalization, and timely delivery. It should reflect the company’s values and enhance the new hire's experience.