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HR Glossary

Employee Lifecycle

The Employee Lifecycle is a model for managing the different stages of an employee’s time with an organization, from recruitment to retirement, with the goal of improving engagement.

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What is employee lifecycle?

Employee Lifecycle is the second most critical for mid-career retention : employees who don’t see growth pathways leave for organizations that offer them.

Image showing the meaning of the employee lifecycle
Image showing the meaning of the employee lifecycle
  • Recruitment: The process of finding and hiring new employees.
  • Onboarding: The process of integrating new employees into the company and providing them with the necessary training and information to do their job.
  • Performance management: The process of monitoring and evaluating employee performance, providing feedback and taking corrective action if necessary.
  • Development: The process of providing employees with opportunities to grow and develop their skills.
  • Retention: The process of keeping employees engaged and motivated to stay with the company.
  • Separation: The process of an employee leaving the company, whether it be through termination, retirement or resignation.
  • Offboarding: The process of disengaging an employee from the company and returning any company’s assets or finalizing any pending paperwork.

It is important to keep in mind that the Employee Lifecycle is not linear, and employees may move back and forth between different stages, depending on the situation.

Why is the employee life cycle important?

The employee life cycle is important because it helps organizations to understand and manage the different stages that an employee goes through during their time with the company. By recognizing and addressing the specific needs and challenges of each stage, organizations can improve employee engagement, retention, and performance. Additionally, managing the employee life cycle can help organizations to plan for future workforce needs and identify opportunities for talent development. HBR’s employee lifecycle research

What are the different stages of different stages of employee lifecycle?

There are several different stages of the employee life cycle, but the specific stages can vary depending on the organization. Common stages include:

  1. Recruitment and selection: This is the stage where the organization identifies and hires new employees.
  2. Onboarding and orientation: This is the stage where new employees are introduced to the organization, its culture and values, and the specific requirements of their role.
  3. Early career development: This is the stage where employees are learning and developing the skills and knowledge necessary to perform their role effectively.
  4. Mid-career development: This is the stage where employees are consolidating their skills and knowledge, and taking on more responsibilities.
  5. Late career development: This is the stage where employees are nearing the end of their working lives and may be looking to transition into retirement.
  6. Retirement: This is the final stage of the employee life cycle, where employees leave the organization permanently.

It’s important to note that some organizations may have different stages or different names for the stages, depending on the specific needs of the organization. SHRM’s employee lifecycle guidance

Understanding and optimizing each stage of the employee lifecycle is the framework for building a workforce that consistently attracts and retains top talent. Organizations using pre-employment assessments ensure every hire is grounded in verified skills. A data-driven hiring plan reduces mis-hire risk, while strong talent acquisition practices focused on skills-based hiring help organizations attract and retain top talent.

Frequently asked questions

The employee lifecycle is the progression of an employee’s relationship with an organization : from initial awareness through departure. It encompasses all the stages and touchpoints that shape the employee’s experience and the organization’s investment in the employment relationship. HR designs programs, policies, and processes for each lifecycle stage to attract, develop, engage, and retain talent effectively.

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