Has Your New Hire Quit Already?

It is important for organizations to establish a proper onboarding strategy

and training for new employees to ensure long-term organizational success.  However, cost conscious companies often overlook the importance of onboarding strategy as their main focus remains on solving everyday business issues. A recruitment process involves enormous time and effort and a repeat not only doubles the investment but also impacts the organization’s productivity.  Let’s look at some effective tips to help you make the most of your onboarding strategy:

Day One is Important: It is very important to give the positive impression to the employees on the very first day. Take care of logistics such as work desk, access cards, computer, etc. before they arrive. Employees should not be running after these and getting approvals themselves.You can also allot them an employee id and even add them in the employee portal beforehand to give them access to various employee tools, information, etc.  Employees should be made aware of the first day agenda and the paper work procedures expected from them. Make sure to introduce them to co-workers or departments where they might be interacting on a frequent basis. Give them an employee handbook to know about company’s policies, benefits, procedures, etc. A welcome lunch is another good idea to make them feel comfortable and a part of the team.

Provide the Right Training: While you expect them to learn or know how to do their jobs, educating them about the organization’s offering, value proposition, vison, mission etc. should be an organization’s responsibility. Identify the right people or team, which can provide an in-depth overview of these to employees. Identify all training requirements such as safety training, Standard Operation Procedures, regulatory compliance, etc. and make a detailed checklist for employees to follow along with timeline.

Set the Right Goals: Define the immediate goals that the new employee is supposed to achieve. Employees should feel that they are creating value for the organization and not treated like a newbie. Make sure to provide the new employees a supportive environment as well all the training and resources enabling them to complete the tasks successfully. See if employees have any feedback on the way goals are set or its timeline.

Overall, organizations should look at all onboarding elements together and create a smooth and effective onboarding program for new employees. It is also important for managers to personally invest time in their new hires’ development. Research indicates that employees who perceive their managers to be personally invested in their development have higher employee engagement Index scores than those who do not. The least engaged employees are much more likely to leave than the most engaged. A strategic onboarding program ensures that the new employees are prepared and have the right know-how to perform in their roles leading to increased employee engagement, retention and organizations’ productivity.