ONBOARDING OF STAFF IN FEDERAL INSTITUTES: A PROPOSAL FOR A STRUCTURED FRAMEWORK

Abstract

The absence of a structured onboarding program in Brazilian public institutions hinders employee adaptation, reduces engagement, and increases turnover, impacting both well-being and organizational performance. In the Federal Institutes of Education, Science, and Technology (IFs), this challenge is exacerbated by the diversity of professional profiles and the geographical dispersion of campuses, making the onboarding process even more complex. This study conducted a systematic review of employee onboarding practices, evaluating their effectiveness in promoting organizational cohesion and institutional performance. Publications from 2010 to 2024 were analyzed using databases such as the Portal de Periódicos da CAPES, Scielo, and Scopus, focusing on terms related to integration and socialization. The results indicate that, although there are onboarding initiatives, the lack of uniformity and formalization undermines their effectiveness. Informal practices, such as social events, are common but insufficient to replace the need for formalized policies. Based on this analysis, an onboarding framework was proposed for the IFs, structured around four pillars: 1) Uniformity and Local Adaptation; 2) Formal Integration Tools; 3) Continuous Integration; and 4) Technological Innovation. The adoption of this framework would standardize onboarding practices, ensuring consistency with flexibility for local adjustments, promoting employee integration and engagement, strengthening organizational culture, and improving performance, while fostering a more cohesive and productive work environment.