When your new employees start work, how many of you take the time to put them through a New Employee Orientation? If you don’t, why not? You’ve put so much time and effort into the hiring process, don’t you want to make sure they succeed?
“New employees who went through a structured on-boarding program were 58% more likely to be with the organization after three years.”
– The Wynhurst Group
Taking the time to welcome your new employee into the organization goes beyond just telling them the policies and showing them around. It involves helping the employee become part of the team or family. While guiding them through the benefits, policies and rules is important, introducing them to their peers, their co-workers and their managers can have just a big, if not bigger, impact on their overall impression of their work environment.
Many organizations also feel that, once that first day is done, the paperwork is signed and the meetings concluded, orientation is done! Nothing could be further from the truth. The on-boarding process should continue for weeks if not months to make sure the new employee understands their job, their environment and the expectations of the department and the company. Good follow up by Human Resources as well as the department head play key roles in the overall impression that the new employee has of the organization as well as helping to make sure they are comfortable in their new environment.
Create a checklist of what needs to be covered, outline all expectations and make sure the employee understands and is committed to the organizational environment. All of these will help them become a positive, productive cheerleader for your company!
