You found a solid candidate, got them through the interview process, and filled the role. But weeks later, they’re already gone, and you’re back to square one.
If you’re experiencing this as you work to hire and manage in the hospitality and gaming industry, you’re not alone. The industry’s high turnover rates aren’t just about long-term burnout or poor job fit. Many mistakes that lead to a lack of retention happen in the first few weeks and months on the job.
If you’re frustrated by the revolving door, the issue might not be who you’re hiring but how you’re onboarding and engaging new staff members within the first 90 days.
Why New Hire Turnover Happens Fast (And Often)
In 2025…
- 33% of new hires leave within their first six months
- 70% of employees decide within the first month whether they’ll stay long-term (reported by Deel, Insight Global, and BambooHR)
And in hospitality, where the pace is fast and expectations are high, the exit rate is even higher.
New employees walk in hoping to succeed, but when they’re handed vague instructions, inconsistent training, or left to sink or swim on a busy shift, it’s hard to see a future.
And if they can’t see a future? They won’t stick around.
Onboarding Isn’t a Task, But a Strategy
The companies that retain talent longer aren’t lucky. They’re intentional.
Effective onboarding has been shown to boost new hire retention by up to 82% (reported by StrongDM and the developer of the Glassdoor/Brandon Hall study).
That’s because great onboarding isn’t about cramming information into day one, but creating clarity, momentum, and connection from the start.
The most successful onboarding experiences in hospitality and gaming do three things well:
- Teach real skills early. When people feel confident in their role, they’re more likely to stay.
- Reinforce purpose. New hires need to understand how their work contributes to something bigger.
- Build community fast. Relationships with managers and peers are one of the strongest predictors of retention.
Microlearning Makes It Stick
The biggest challenge? Traditional onboarding can’t keep up with hospitality’s pace. Long, static training sessions don’t work when teams are short-staffed and guests need attention now.
Microlearning (short, targeted learning modules delivered at the right time) helps new hires absorb what they need, when they need it. Whether it’s customer service basics, safety protocols, or systems training, microlearning ensures they’re not overloaded or left behind.
Because it’s easy to access and repeat, it builds skill and confidence in those critical early days on the job.
Your First 90 Days Can Make or Break Retention
The best way to reduce turnover is to never let it start.
When you create an onboarding experience that’s clear, supportive, and skill-building from Day 1, you set the tone for everything that follows. That’s exactly what we help managers do inside WYSR’s “How to Attract and Retain Top Talent” course.
This course walks you through how to:
- Structure your onboarding for maximum engagement.
- Use microlearning to speed up confidence and capability.
- Build a retention strategy focused on the first 90 days.
Get Ahead of Turnover Before It Starts
Hiring is hard enough. Don’t let poor onboarding undo it.
Explore our How to Attract and Retain Top Talent course today, and learn how to turn your new hires into long-term team members.
