Which of the following is NOT a stage in the Employee Life Cycle?

The Employee Life Cycle (ELC) consists of key stages that outline the journey of an employee within an organization, from their initial entry to the eventual conclusion of their employment. The relevant stages typically include onboarding, development, retention, and separation.

Onboarding refers to the process of integrating a new employee into the company, helping them understand their role, the culture, and the expectations. Development encompasses training and growth opportunities that enable employees to enhance their skills throughout their tenure. Retention focuses on strategies and practices implemented to keep employees engaged and reduce turnover, which is critical for maintaining a stable workforce.

In contrast, budgeting is not considered a stage in the Employee Life Cycle. It pertains more to financial management, particularly the allocation of resources and planning expenditures, rather than the personal experience or progression of an employee within a company. Thus, recognizing budgeting as a separate function helps clarify the specific focus of the Employee Life Cycle stages.