An employee’s experience during their first few days will affect the rest of their tenure. It is critical, to begin with, an effective, positive, and fun new hire orientation for the future success of your new employees. Even before the employee’s hire date, you can make a positive impact with a call to the employee two or three days before their start date, welcoming them, letting them know what time to arrive, and what they can expect during their first day and first week on the job. Studies show that a well-planned orientation can contribute to the length of employment, better work attitudes, more effective communication, and fewer mistakes. Your new hire orientation is your chance to set a positive tone for a long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationship.
A new hire’s early experience is highly influenced by his peers, managers, subordinates, HR team members, and the organization’s top management. Ensure that new hires are welcomed by their team members. Plan a welcome breakfast meet-and-greet for their first morning on the job. The new hire’s immediate supervisor should schedule daily meetings with the new employee at least for the first week, then at least weekly for the first month or two. Schedule informational meetings with key people in the department and in other departments to provide the new hire with the general knowledge that they will need to perform their job. Include an office tour in the orientation process that includes introductions. Be sure to include introductions to top Executives, Human Resource personnel as well as receptionists, administrative assistants, and copy/mail room attendants.
An effective orientation program will put emphasis on the new employee, their individuality and what they have to offer rather than focusing solely on the company’s culture and how the new employee can fit in. You are probably hiring in part to get new ideas into the organization. Make sure to capitalize on that. Make your orientation meetings fun and be sure to provide a meal or at least snacks. Keep it interesting and not too long. Too much information will be boring and will not be retained. Orientation should reflect culture through interactive activities. One way to make it memorable is to present the company’s goals, mission, and values in an interactive activity rather than simply providing the information. Allow the new hires to get to know each other on a personal basis, not just professional – go around the room and have them tell one professional and one personal thing about themselves. You can also turn this into a game by writing one thing about each person on a piece of paper. At the end, state items one at a time out of order and have people guess who said what.
Promote communication with a team building activity such as learning the employee handbook through a scavenger hunt. For example, divide the orientation group into teams and see which team can answer the most handbook questions in a set amount of time. Cover company ethics to let them know what is expected, and also include ‘unwritten rules’. Don’t end there. After orientation, schedule follow-up meetings with each new hire to gain their feedback and answer any follow-up questions they may have.
Don’t forget the basics. Provide them with all the office supplies they will need to start their job, include contact information they will need. And let them know how to get additional office supplies. Teach them how to use the phone, how to forward calls, set up and change voice mail, and how to do a conference call.
Today, many companies are adding programs such as flex-time, telecommuting as well as accommodating and encouraging alternative work styles in an effort to provide a work environment where employees are happier and thriving. Therefore don’t neglect or underestimate how impactful beginnings are, and provide your new hires with an orientation program that is effective and unique to your company and its culture.
Implementing the above suggestions will help your company to build a culture that encourages retention of employees, which in turn will attract top talent. In addition to providing a great work environment that respects employees and provides opportunities for learning and growth, it is also important that they receive a solid compensation and benefits package. At WageWatch we offer accurate, up-to-date benefit survey data, market compensation data and salary reports that will allow you to stay current with the times. This information is highly beneficial in creating the best salary and benefits packages that meet or rival the industry standards. For more information on our services, including consulting, salary survey data, benefit survey data and market compensation reports, please call WageWatch at 888-330-9243 or contact us online.