
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:
- Dipendenti a tempo pieno e a tempo parziale
- 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
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.

Sondaggi sul polso dei dipendenti:
Si tratta di brevi sondaggi che possono essere inviati frequentemente per verificare rapidamente cosa pensano i vostri dipendenti di un argomento. Il sondaggio comprende un numero ridotto di domande (non più di 10) per ottenere rapidamente le informazioni. Possono essere somministrati a intervalli regolari (mensili/settimanali/trimestrali).

Incontri individuali:
Organizzare riunioni periodiche di un'ora per una chiacchierata informale con ogni membro del team è un modo eccellente per farsi un'idea reale di ciò che sta accadendo. Poiché si tratta di una conversazione sicura e privata, aiuta a ottenere maggiori dettagli su un problema.

eNPS:
L'eNPS (employee Net Promoter score) è uno dei metodi più semplici ma efficaci per valutare l'opinione dei dipendenti sulla vostra azienda. Include una domanda intrigante che misura la fedeltà. Un esempio di domande eNPS è il seguente: Quanto è probabile che raccomandi la nostra azienda ad altri? I dipendenti rispondono al sondaggio eNPS su una scala da 1 a 10, dove 10 indica che è "altamente probabile" che raccomandino l'azienda e 1 indica che è "altamente improbabile" che la raccomandino.
In base alle risposte, i dipendenti possono essere classificati in tre diverse categorie:

- Promotori
Dipendenti che hanno risposto positivamente o sono d'accordo. - Detrattori
Dipendenti che hanno reagito negativamente o in disaccordo. - Passivi
I dipendenti che sono rimasti neutrali nelle loro risposte.
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.
- Define your objectives: Is it for engagement, branding, or retention?
- Align rewards with company culture and tone
- Create tiered rewards for different milestones or roles
- Use automation via HR tools for consistency and tracking
- Personalize rewards when possible (custom notes, team intros)
- Collect feedback from new hires to refine the program
- Combine tangible and intangible rewards for greater impact