The new employee onboarding process varies from one company to the next, but there are basic guidelines any employer can follow to get on (and stay on) the right track. Before we discuss the how-to of onboarding a new employee, let’s review five best practices for ensuring success on behalf of your company and new team members:
Employees who experience “great onboarding” are 69% more likely to stay with a company for three years. This results in more continuity, reduced hiring and training costs, and a more satisfied workforce. Here are several more reasons why the effective onboarding of a new employee is so important:
This is all about making your new hire feel welcome. It’s a good time to share basic information such as start date, work hours, and how to set up any applicable technology.
Don’t overwhelm the person with too much information at this stage. This is only the first step on their journey.
Some companies include this in their welcome email. New hire paperwork can include but is not limited to:
Each new hire should provide this information no later than the end of their first day of employment.
If the person is physically working in the same office as you, do your best to provide a comforting workspace on day one. For example, a small gift—such as a coffee mug or personalized pen—will help make them feel welcome.
If the person is working remotely, send them everything they need to set up their workspace in advance.
Whether in person or via video conferencing, introductions are a big part of the onboarding process. Nobody wants to be “thrown into the fire” on day one. Introduce each person your new team member will be working with.
Show your new hire where team members sit. Give them an overview of the kitchen, break room, and restroom facilities. The larger the building or campus, the more important it is to provide a thorough tour.
For remote hires, think about ways that you can show the new hire around without meeting face to face. For instance, you could take them on a virtual tour to highlight conference rooms and offices they may see during video calls.
As noted above, these five steps are a jumping-off point. Customize this onboarding process to match the specific requirements of your company and new employees.
Onboarding one new employee is difficult enough. When the number of new hires begins to add up, you’ll really find yourself looking for help. That’s where Oyster’s global employment platform enters the picture.
Oyster can assist with all aspects of finding, onboarding, and managing employees, including:
Oyster enables effective hiring anywhere in the world, which starts with a structured employee onboarding process.