The way you integrate a new employee during their first days, weeks and months often corresponds to whether they become an engaged, long-term employee, or an ineffective, short-term hire.
Orientation occurs over the first day or two and focuses on the new employee completing paperwork; touring the worksite; meeting their immediate supervisor and co-workers; getting access to a computer, their email, their voicemail and the building; and receiving basic training on job duties, equipment and timekeeping systems.
Onboarding, on the other hand, is an ongoing process that aims to assimilate new employees into the company's structure and culture, while also making sure they know how to do their job and what is expected of them.
Additionally, good onboarding plans assign current employees daily or weekly tasks and goals for the first few months to continue to integrate the new hire into the company. Onboarding usually consists of several phases, including:
Introductions. Introduce new hires to co-workers in their department, as well as other important contacts, such as human resources, IT managers, accounting, vendors and clients.
Goals. Establish what is expected of the employee in the short- and long-term. By giving the employee clear measures of success from the beginning, you ensure they know what they need to do and by when, and that they understand the resources and tools available to help them get there.
Training. Explain what the employee needs to know to do their job safely, effectively and to company standards. Training should be ongoing and include job training, product training, safety training, harassment prevention training and more, if applicable.
Performance feedback. By regularly touching base with the employee to compare actual performance with expectations, you can make sure they know what they need to do to succeed. This can keep the employee on track for success or help get them there.
Developing a comprehensive onboarding plan will help an employee succeed from the beginning. If you need help you with any part of the new hire process, visit Affinity HR Group online.