5 tips for successful employee onboarding.
The employee onboarding process sets the tone for the employee's entire experience with an organisation, from their initial impression through to their long-term success. Onboarding is a critical opportunity for employers to establish a positive relationship that will have a lasting impact on the business and it’s culture.
Here’s our tips for successful employee onboarding
Map out the first week
From day one, create a calendar of meet + greets with stakeholders, the employee's team and colleagues (keep it casual - hit up the local cafe).
Assign a buddy
Nominate a person to be the employee’s ‘buddy’. Yes, just like in primary school, give the employee someone to be their ‘go-to’ for any little questions. This works well with someone not in the employee's team (and gives them an opportunity to meet people outside their team). The buddy also gives the employee a different perspective on the organisation.
Share helpful links and resources
Share links to your internal know-how and information systems e.g. employee portal, intranet. Provide some examples of common tasks the employee will complete.
Handy hint: start emailing the employee helpful resources before they start so they have some reading to do on day one.
Ensure training is completed
Boring, but necessary.
If you don’t have an automated HR information system, ensure the business manages its risks by getting the employee to complete required training and acknowledge that they've read your workplace policies. Check training is either scheduled, or necessary IT access is working.
Share your ways of working
As soon as the employee starts, the line manager should share their availability, how they communicate, and the team's internal rhythm / ways of working. For example, the line manager should discuss things like the team’s approach to flexible working and normal working hours, what days the team meets in person, the preferred apps used and how the employee can reach them (e.g. text/call).
A poorly executed onboarding process can lead to negative consequences for both the employee and your organisation. Critically, it can also result in lack of job clarity, disconnection and compliance issues.
We are working on an employee onboarding checklist which will be released soon.
Natasha can talk you through your onboarding process, if you need some guidance.
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