The first year of employment is critical for faculty and staff in higher education. Whether it’s a new professor preparing to teach their first courses or an administrative staff member supporting financial aid, the early experiences employees have with their institution shape whether they see a future there.
Unfortunately, many institutions overlook this crucial period. While recruitment and hiring receive significant attention, the onboarding and immediate post-onboarding stages often lack the same focus. The result? Early attrition—when employees leave within their first year—remains a costly challenge.
To address this issue, colleges and universities are turning to post-onboarding surveys powered by apc’s Employee Experience Grade (exg™). These surveys provide leaders with insights into how well new hires are adjusting, what gaps exist, and how to strengthen long-term retention.
The Cost of Early Attrition
When new hires leave within their first year, the costs are significant:
- Financial costs: Replacing an employee can cost 1.5 to 2 times their annual salary. For faculty, the cost is even higher due to recruitment committees, relocation, and the disruption of teaching or research programs.
- Cultural costs: High turnover creates instability within departments, affecting morale among remaining employees.
- Reputational costs: Word spreads quickly in academic circles. Frequent early departures can discourage top candidates from applying in the future.
These consequences make it essential for institutions to identify and address issues early—before they result in attrition.
Why Post-Onboarding Surveys Matter
Post-onboarding surveys serve as a checkpoint after employees complete their initial integration period, typically within the first three to six months. They capture how well new hires are settling in and whether they have the resources, support, and clarity they need to succeed.
Key questions post-onboarding surveys answer include:
- Do new faculty feel prepared to manage teaching, research, and service expectations?
- Do staff members understand their roles and responsibilities clearly?
- Are employees building connections with peers and leadership?
- Do new hires feel their contributions are valued by the institution?
- What barriers might affect their long-term engagement and retention?
By gathering feedback during this critical phase, leaders gain visibility into potential problems while there is still time to intervene.
The Role of apc’s exg™ in Strengthening Retention
apc’s Employee Experience Grade (exg™) enhances post-onboarding surveys by transforming responses into actionable insights. Instead of static feedback, exg™ provides institutions with a dynamic view of employee engagement.
Key Advantages of exg™ Post-Onboarding Surveys
- Tailored to Higher Education Unlike generic survey platforms, exg™ surveys address faculty-specific challenges like tenure expectations and adjunct integration, as well as staff concerns such as workload balance and career development.
- Customization Options apc allows institutions to customize survey content, ensuring it reflects their culture, priorities, and unique employee mix.
- Actionable Data Results are presented in a clear, easy-to-understand format, highlighting specific areas for improvement such as orientation processes, mentoring programs, or workload adjustments.
- Integration Across the Lifecycle Post-onboarding surveys connect with new hire, pulse, and exit surveys, creating a holistic picture of the employee experience over time.
Case Example: Cutting Early Attrition
A mid-sized university faced high turnover among its administrative staff, with many leaving within their first year. Initial assumptions blamed compensation, but post-onboarding surveys revealed a different issue: staff felt unprepared to handle complex systems and lacked sufficient training.
In response, the university expanded its orientation program, introduced peer mentorship, and provided ongoing technical training. Within 18 months, early attrition dropped by 30%, and engagement scores among new staff significantly improved.
Broader Benefits of Post-Onboarding Surveys
Stronger Retention
When new hires feel supported and valued, they are far more likely to remain with the institution long-term.
Improved Performance
Employees who understand expectations and receive the resources they need are more productive and effective.
Enhanced Culture
Surveys demonstrate that leadership cares about employee experiences, fostering trust and inclusion.
Better Student Outcomes
When faculty and staff are retained and engaged, students benefit from consistent instruction, advising, and services.
Best Practices for Implementing Post-Onboarding Surveys
- Timing Is Key Conduct surveys within the first 3–6 months to capture accurate insights while issues are still fresh.
- Keep It Focused Surveys should be concise, targeting areas such as clarity, training, connection, and support.
- Act Quickly on Results New hires need to see that their feedback leads to improvements—whether in resources, communication, or recognition.
- Integrate with Other Surveys Connect post-onboarding survey data with new hire and exit surveys for a comprehensive view of the employee journey.
- Communicate Outcomes Share results and highlight what actions will be taken, reinforcing that feedback matters.
Why Higher Education Needs Post-Onboarding Surveys Now
With competition for talent intensifying and employee expectations shifting, higher education can no longer afford to treat onboarding as a one-time event. Engagement must be measured and nurtured from the very beginning.
By using apc’s exg™ Post-Onboarding Surveys, institutions gain the visibility to strengthen early employee experiences, reduce costly turnover, and build a culture of long-term commitment.
Final Thoughts
The first year of employment sets the tone for whether faculty and staff choose to stay and thrive at an institution. Without intentional support and feedback, early attrition can become a costly cycle.
apc’s Employee Engagement Surveys powered by exg™ provide institutions with the tools to measure post-onboarding experiences, identify gaps, and implement solutions that improve retention and engagement from day one.
Strengthen retention from the start. Get started with apc’s exg™ Post-Onboarding Surveys today.
