Understanding employee lifecycle
The employee lifecycle provides a framework for thinking about the complete employee journey. By understanding each stage, HR teams can design better experiences, identify problem areas, and create strategies that support employees from hire to retirement or exit.
Continuous journey
- Multiple stages
- Each stage builds on previous
- Opportunities at every point
- Impacts overall experience
Business impact
- Affects retention
- Drives engagement
- Influences productivity
- Shapes culture
Employee lifecycle stages
The typical employee lifecycle includes these key stages:
Lifecycle stages
Optimising each stage
- Attraction: Clear employer brand, honest job descriptions
- Recruitment: Efficient process, good candidate experience
- Onboarding: Structured program, clear expectations
- Development: Career paths, learning opportunities
- Retention: Recognition, fair compensation, engagement
- Separation: Professional exit, knowledge transfer
First 90 days matter most
Research shows that employees form lasting impressions in their first 90 days. A poor onboarding experience significantly increases early turnover. Invest heavily in making the transition smooth and engaging.
Lifecycle metrics
Recruitment metrics
- Time to hire
- Cost per hire
- Offer acceptance rate
- Quality of hire
Retention metrics
- Turnover rate
- Employee tenure
- Engagement scores
- Internal promotion rate
Common lifecycle mistakes
Neglecting onboarding
Many businesses rush through onboarding, leading to confused, disengaged employees who leave early. A structured onboarding program significantly improves retention.
Ignoring development
Lack of growth opportunities is a major driver of turnover. Employees who don't see a future with the company will look elsewhere, especially high performers.
Poor exit management
Failing to conduct proper offboarding loses valuable feedback and knowledge. Exit interviews and knowledge transfer should be standard practice.
Key takeaways
The employee lifecycle framework helps organisations create better experiences at every stage of employment. By focusing on each phase - from attraction through separation - businesses can improve retention, engagement, and overall workforce effectiveness.
RosterElf's employee management supports key lifecycle stages with tools for onboarding, scheduling, time tracking, and ongoing workforce management.
