Employee turnover can be expensive. Various studies suggest that companies have to spend four times more amount to replace the existing employees. That’s why the employee onboarding process is much in buzz these days. Sink or swim scenarios are a thing of the past. Organizations across the globe have realized the importance of retaining good employees. Therefore, they want to leave no stone unturned when it comes to comforting their employees.
The famous saying goes, “The first impression is the last impression.” The onboarding process is the first impression that leads employees to decide how long they want to stay with the company.
Remember:
- A well-executed onboarding process gives employees the confidence to deliver their best performance.
- It creates a positive work environment by providing new hires with an opportunity to gel into the new culture as they feel welcomed, supported and empowered from day one.
So, here are the tips.
Welcome mail: Create excitement for the first day even before they join. How? You can make them feel welcome by sending an email. Ask some fun self-introduction questions, and also let your organization know that someone new is joining. This will work as an icebreaker on the first day.
Initiation: Every organization uses different tools and software. So, it is good to set up their computer or laptop in advance and provide them with guidance and resources on the first day of joining. It will allow them to familiarize themselves with different tools.
Orientation: Any employee would be curious to explore the workplace. Therefore, one should plan a comprehensive office tour on the first day. It helps new joiners explore their workspace, meeting rooms and supply areas. In the course, you can also introduce them to key team members.
Introduction: The first day should be about more than just filling out lengthy forms. It is wise to introduce the new joiners to their teams and colleagues. It fosters a sense of belonging and lays a foundation for building lasting relationships. One can also arrange a team lunch on the first day.
Lingo: Every organization has its slang, jargon and inside jokes. One can make people feel comfortable and integrated into the new culture by imparting knowledge about the language used in the office or inside jokes.
Things to keep in mind:
– Seek feedback from new joiners about their onboarding experience. It will help identify areas of improvement and address the loopholes.
– Create a seamless onboarding experience by blurring the lines between the onboarding and hiring process.
– 4 Cs- Compliance, clarification, culture and connection are integral to onboarding. This will clarify new joiners’ job expectations, give them insights into the company culture, and help them develop strong relationships with the organization.
– Create a detailed onboarding plan to bring uniformity to experiences.
– Reduce paperwork as much as possible by embracing digital signatures and online form-filling procedures.
– For remote employees, arrange virtual welcome meetings and provide in-person training opportunities. In the case of remote employees, also work on communication and collaboration tools.
– Assign mentors for new joiners. Many organizations recognize these mentors as onboarding buddies. These people can inspire the new-joiners to achieve great heights in the new environment. They also facilitate a smooth transition by addressing the queries of new employees.
One should create an onboarding process that reflects the company’s culture and sets the right expectations. Designing and executing the effective onboarding process lays the foundation for a thriving workforce and a brighter future.
