Most companies don’t think about their onboarding process once its been written, tried, and tested the first time. We don’t like to mess with what we consider to be perfect, even if it’s something simple that only just about works. Onboarding processes can become outdated, whether we realise it or not.
When a new employee joins a business, they are largely left to their own devices and have to fend for themselves. There are very few ways and even less opportunities for them to introduce themselves. Because of this lull in direction after an employee is taken on, they are often ineffective and unproductive for a period after being hired.
That period of ineffectiveness can be avoided with a well-rounded onboarding process that gives the new employee the opportunity to find balance in their new position. It should be expected that a new employee is fully onboarded within two or so weeks of being hired. Within those two weeks, they should have started to become integrated with their team, be aware of who to go to should they experience any issues, and they should know what is expected of them and how they can progress in their position.
Seems like a lot, right? But it isn’t at all. By doing all of this during the onboarding process, you’re giving your new employee the opportunity to really integrate themselves into your workplace and its culture, without the usual awkwardness that comes with starting a new job and being the new face around the office.
Start With Excitement
Joining a new team and starting a new job should be exciting for your new employee! Send them a welcome email, invite them to come and tour the facilities, offer them choices of orientation dates instead of giving them one set starting date that they may not be able to make. Make a good impression from the get-go, and they will do the same thing.
While you’re communicating with them, also communicate with the rest of your team and your wider organisation – let them know about your new hire, who they are, what their name is, and ask permission from your new employee to share a photograph of them to the rest of your staff. This will enable your entire team to know who the new face is, what their role is, and most importantly: what they look like.
Get Them Started As Soon As Possible
There’s nothing worse than starting a new job and not understanding what you need to do straight away. Keep your new employee on-task and focused by giving them their first project as soon as their training is finished. Nothing too big, but something that can help them get their feet wet in their new role.
This positive and welcoming kind of onboarding process will enable your new hire to get to grips with their duties much faster than the standard inductee would. At AJ HR Solutions, we work with businesses who haven’t looked at their onboarding process in a long time, and aren’t sure they are still in date. We can help you evaluate your processes, put new ones in place and create an onboarding process that is unique to your business (while still meeting all of your legal obligations). To find out more, get in touch with us today.
