How to Maximize New Employee Orientation
Most companies have some form of new employee orientation, from an informal and casual signing of benefits forms and documents to more elaborate multi-media presentations designed to inform new hires about what they can expect working at a particular company. However, to increase employee commitment and retention, new employee orientation should continue beyond the first day on the job to the entire introductory period -- usually the first 90 days. Review your new employee orientation program and consider these tips to help you maximize its effectiveness.
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Instructions
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Consider the new hire's first week on the job. See if there is a structured program that in addition to the proper forms being completed, allows the new hire to interact with people outside his department and gain a better understanding of the work environment and culture. Implement a process that gives the new hire a chance to observe how his department operates before he has to start working.
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Host a new employee welcoming breakfast on the first day. Coordinate speakers from senior management as well as informal networking opportunities with peers and co-workers.
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Follow up new employee orientation with an internal press release -- on the company intranet or newsletter to introduce new hires to company employees.
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Make sure new hires are not abandoned. Implement a buddy system.
As corny as that may sound, buddies help new hires with the fundamentals, including how to find the restroom, cafeteria, break room or other key functional areas. -
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Train supervisors and managers on the proper way to "onboard" a new hire. This will provide consistency and ensure that all new hires are getting the same on-the-job orientation.
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Survey new hires after the introductory period to refine your new employee orientation program. After the first 90 days on the job, the average new hire now has a good idea of the lay of the land, yet still remembers the uncertainties of the first few days on the job. Find out how you can improve the new employee orientation program and recruit them to work on the revision project team.
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References
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