When you start a new job, there’s a process to help you adjust to your new environment and understand your responsibilities. This is known as onboarding. It’s basically the steps you follow to integrate into your new team.
You might sometimes see it written with a hyphen, like on-boarding, but this isn’t the typical way to write it. In fact, when we’re talking about getting new employees up to speed, the correct term is onboarding, without the hyphen.
So, keep in mind, whether you come across onboarding or on-boarding, the standard version is the one-word version, onboarding.
Onboarding or On-Boarding? Which is Correct?
When choosing between “onboarding” and “on-boarding,” you should stick with “onboarding.” This is the correct form and it’s commonly used in everyday and business language.
Understanding Onboarding vs. On-Boarding
“Onboarding” is the term you use to talk about the steps a company takes to help a new employee fit in. It’s a series of steps that give new employees the information and abilities they need to do their job well. You use “onboarding” as one word, and it can be a noun or a verb.
On-boarding, with a hyphen, is not the standard spelling and is often considered incorrect. The mix-up might come from the fact that a lot of English words get a hyphen when they change from a verb phrase to a noun or adjective, like “check-in.” But “onboarding” doesn’t follow this rule and should always be one word when you’re talking about getting a new employee settled in.
Example:
- Correct: The company’s onboarding program helps new employees understand their roles quickly.
- Incorrect: Her new job had an extensive on-boarding schedule, which is a common misspelling.
In both situations, ‘large-scale’ acts as an adjective providing more details about the noun that comes after it—’event’ and ‘map’. The hyphen is important because without it, the words might be read as less connected, which could change the sentence’s meaning.
Onboarding vs. On Boarding: Is it one word or two words?
When you’re talking about the process of getting new employees up to speed with their jobs, the company’s way of doing things, and its rules, you use “onboarding” as one word.
- For example: I was discussing the new onboarding process with head of the HR department.
On the other hand, “on board” as two words is usually used when you’re physically bringing someone or something onto a vehicle, like a plane or a ship.
- For example: “Make sure you have all your belongings with you when you come on board.“
So, you see, ‘onboarding’ and ‘on board’ are totally different phrases with separate meanings, and you can’t use them interchangeably.
Examples of Using “onboarding“ in A Sentence
“Your company excels at employee onboarding.”
“You’ve just completed the onboarding process.”
“Effective onboarding can be the first step towards ensuring job satisfaction.”
“The onboarding session starts at 9 AM, all new employees must attend it without fail.”
“Onboarding new hires is your top priority.”
“You’re attending an onboarding workshop next week.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ‘boarding’ and ‘onboarding’?
While “boarding” refers to the action of getting on a mode of transport, like a plane or bus, “onboarding” is a term used in business to describe how new employees become part of a company. Onboarding is all about making a new work environment easy to adjust to.
What is the difference between onboarding and pre-boarding?
The main difference between them is when they happen. Onboarding usually starts on the first day at work and goes on for the first few weeks or months, while pre-boarding occurs after an employee gets the job but before they start working. It’s all about filling out the necessary paperwork and doing fun activities to welcome them.
Is onboarding a noun or verb?
“Onboarding” can be used as both a noun and a verb. When you use it as a noun, it refers to the process or time when a new employee learns about their job. When you use it as a verb, it means the act of helping a new employee become part of the company.
