Rohr AG, a Swiss cleaning firm with 870 employees, relies on ad-hoc, manager-driven onboarding. New hires face unclear role expectations, delayed tool access, and inconsistent support. Without standardized checklists or digital workflows, HR’s role is purely administrative, and time-to-productivity stretches out. This fragmented approach risks early attrition, wasted resources, and missed opportunities to engage talent in a competitive labor market.

A qualitative single-case study was conducted using open-ended questionnaires sent to an HR manager, five department heads, and two recent recruits. Responses were thematically analyzed and mapped against Bradt & Vonnegut’s Total Onboarding Program and Bauer’s 4Cs model. This triangulation of perspectives identified critical gaps in preboarding, role clarification, cultural integration, and digital support, forming the evidence base for tailored recommendations.

The thesis presents a four-phase onboarding framework: Preboarding, Day 1, Induction (Days 2–30), and Probation Review (Days 31–90), with specific actions and deliverables for each stage. Recommendations include: Standardized, role-specific checklists to ensure consistent handovers across departments. Clear assignment of responsibilities to HR (process oversight), hiring managers (role training), and peer buddies (social integration). A digital onboarding portal (leveraging Abacus) for automated document distribution and real-time progress tracking. Structured feedback loops: weekly one-on-ones, mid-probation surveys, and final reviews. Key performance indicators: time-to-productivity, new-hire satisfaction, checklist completion, to monitor success. Implementing this framework enables Rohr AG to eliminate administrative bottlenecks, accelerate employee readiness, and deliver a coherent, measurable onboarding experience. The client stands to gain higher engagement, stronger employer branding, reduced early turnover, and improved operational efficiency ultimately supporting sustainable growth and competitive advantage.