Having the right employee on-boarding process and being able to do it right is essential to retaining your employees and minimizing a repeat of the process over and over again.
A little help from a supervisor, as well as some training can prove immensely valuable for a new employee and the organisation as a whole.
Read on for four simple tips for making your orientation and on-boarding processes productive engagements.
Establish specific on-boarding objectives
You’ll get the best results from new employees if you create very specific and structured on-boarding objectives (and put them on paper!). These objectives are relevant to the job and helpful in learning where to find information on action desired, a deadline, and the method of evaluation.
It’s also helpful to include why each task is important, which will help keep your new employee motivated and feel like they are working toward something worthwhile.
Set them straight
Have a sit down with new employees and set them straight about the norms and expectations of the office. Who knows? Maybe they are from companies with a lax office policy and might need some adjustments.
Make sure new employees immediately grasp the nuances of the office. By not waiting for them to figure out things on their own, you help them settle in more quickly and painlessly.
Trust in their abilities
After on-boarding an employee, offered resources for support, and given it plenty of time, start trusting in their ability to do well. Of course, the last thing you want to do is fire someone who hasn’t really had a chance to prove her/himself .
So if a new employee gets off to a rough start, don’t immediately throw in the towel—but don’t ignore it, either. With some patience, time, and important conversations, you can get past that initial impression and focus on driving them towards success.
Make it fun
Finally, remember that not all employee development activities need to be structured. Some of the best learning can be gained through team meetings or informal chats across cubicles.
If this sounds like a lot of work—well, that’s because it is. But never underestimate the benefits of employees starting off well. If done right, employee development rewards you with a workplace where everyone’s motivated and productive.
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