Preboarding Readiness Pulse
Purpose: Confirm practical readiness and confidence before commencement.
Timing: Send before Day 1, after the new starter has received the key pre-employment requirements and first-day information. This is a process/readiness pulse, not an assessment of the employment experience itself.
Use this question set as a short targeted lifecycle pulse. Issues should be actioned before commencement wherever possible.
Recommended question set
| Question | Type | Recommended wording | EOF driver | Employee Survey alignment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PB.1.1 | Scale | I have received clear information about what to expect before I start. | Systems & Processes | Adapted from Employee Survey item 2.4.1 on effective processes, systems and technology. [2.4.1] |
| PB.1.2 | Scale | I know where to go, who to meet and what to do on my first day. | Roles & Clarity | Adapted from Employee Survey item 2.1.3 on clarity of expectations. [2.1.3] |
| PB.1.3 | Scale | The pre-employment and onboarding tasks I have been asked to complete have been clear and straightforward. | Systems & Processes | Adapted from Employee Survey item 2.4.1 on effective processes, systems and technology. [2.4.1] |
| PB.1.4 | Scale | I feel positive and confident about joining Council. | Experience | Early-lifecycle adaptation of the X1.1 Experience outcome. [X1.1] |
| PB.2.1 | Open Text | Is there anything Council could do before your first day to help you feel more prepared? | Systems & Processes | EOF diagnostic item; no direct annual survey comparator. |
Why these questions are included
| Question | Why it is included |
|---|---|
| PB.1.1 | Tests whether the recruitment-to-employment handover has given the new starter enough practical information to arrive prepared. It provides an early warning of communication gaps before they affect Day 1. |
| PB.1.2 | Confirms first-day logistics are unambiguous. This removes avoidable uncertainty about where to go, who to meet and what will happen when the employee arrives. |
| PB.1.3 | Tests the usability of pre-employment administration and onboarding processes. It helps identify friction in forms, checks, system steps or instructions before commencement. |
| PB.1.4 | Provides an early sentiment baseline at the point the employment relationship begins. It is intentionally an adaptation of the Experience X-Factor rather than a direct comparison with established employees. |
| PB.2.1 | Creates an immediate service-recovery opportunity before Day 1 and captures practical needs that fixed-response questions may miss. |
Interpretation
PB.1.1–PB.1.3 are practical readiness diagnostics. PB.1.4 is an early-lifecycle adaptation of the X1.1 Experience outcome and can be used as an early sentiment baseline, but it should not be compared as though it is the same measure as the annual Experience question.
PB.2.1 is designed for immediate follow-up. Themes should be coded for recurring process issues, while individual practical issues should be resolved before Day 1 where possible.
Download current source: Preboarding Readiness Pulse question set
Published download: Onboarding | Pre Boarding Readiness Pulse
Related: Onboarding Feedback | EOF and Employee Survey Alignment