TalentLMS, a leading employee training platform, in partnership with BambooHR, has released new research on the state of onboarding across generations. The study reveals administrative overload, limited AI adoption, and a growing preference for hybrid onboarding models.

Surveying 1,156 U.S. employees hired within the past 12 months, the research examined integration, satisfaction, and effectiveness of onboarding practices.

Key Findings

  • 52% of employees reported that admin-heavy onboarding overshadowed practical job readiness.
  • 23% said they struggled with skills-building due to lack of personalized learning options.
  • 39% admitted to second-guessing their decision to join during onboarding—rising to 49% among Gen Z.

“When done well, onboarding isn’t simply a program. It’s the foundation for workplace success. Employees who feel supported from day one emerge more integrated, capable, and engaged, underscoring the value of modern onboarding strategies that balance connection and skill-building.” — Roza Tapini, VP of People and Culture at Epignosis

Generational Differences

  • 47% of Gen Z employees said onboarding overwhelmed them with too much information, versus 31% of Baby Boomers.
  • 41% of Gen Z felt onboarding lacked human connection, compared to 18% of Boomers.
  • 44% of Gen Z relied on AI tools for onboarding questions, compared with 14% of Boomers.

Despite these trends, 60% of participants reported receiving no AI-related training during onboarding—highlighting a major opportunity for HR leaders to adopt tech-driven learning.

Hybrid Onboarding Gains Ground

Three in four employees (75%) who experienced hybrid onboarding reported being satisfied with the process. Hybrid employees were also less dissatisfied with ongoing training access compared to remote-only staff.

“Seventy-five percent satisfaction with hybrid onboarding is a signal. Blending digital efficiency with in-person connection helps employees integrate faster and perform better. HR leaders should evaluate whether their onboarding formats match role expectations and intentionally design each touchpoint.” — Wende Smith, Head of HR Operations at BambooHR

The study also found that 65% of employees view onboarding as the beginning of a continuous learning journey, raising the bar for HR teams to ensure long-term development and engagement.

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