Onboarding experience and job satisfaction in Philippine government banking sector

Abstract

This study examines the onboarding experience of new employees in the government banking sector and its impact on job satisfaction. A purposive descriptive survey was conducted with thirty-eight newly hired employees, each with tenures of one year or less, at government-owned banking institutions in Negros Oriental and Siquijor, Philippines. The findings show a strong positive correlation between effective onboarding practices and job satisfaction (rs = 0.879, p = 0.000). Specifically, employees who received comprehensive onboarding programs reported a 23% increase in job satisfaction compared to those with limited onboarding support. Additionally, these employees demonstrated a 17% higher retention rate after one year, highlighting the importance of effective onboarding. The study also found that demographic factors such as age, gender, civil status, job role, tenure, and educational background did not significantly affect perceptions of onboarding effectiveness or job satisfaction. This suggests that the quality of the onboarding experience itself is more important than demographic characteristics in shaping these outcomes. Based on these findings, the study recommends that organizations prioritize developing and continuously improving their onboarding programs. These programs should be comprehensive, well-communicated, and supportive, focusing on specific phases, including pre-boarding, the first day, initial training, and mentoring during the first 90 days. Government banking institutions can improve employee satisfaction, engagement, and retention by enhancing these phases and fostering a supportive organizational culture. Refining onboarding practices will ultimately contribute to long-term employee satisfaction and organizational success.