How effective is your Employee On-boarding Process?

By jamie | April 16, 2010 | Open Source

When a new hire arrives at your door, the employee on-boarding workflow is the human resources process by which she is introduced to and becomes engaged with your company.  An effective employee on-boarding process can make the difference between establishing a positive and productive relationship with the employee, and setting the employee up for failure.  So ask yourself, how effective is your employee on-boarding process in accomplishing the following objectives?:

1. Put out the welcome mat: The on-boarding process is the way that new hires are introduced to the company, its people, and its policies.  Making a positive first impression makes sure that the employee gets off on the right foot, and can have a lasting impact.  So when a new employee shows up at your door, are you ready?  From simple workstation requirements like having a computer or desk ready, to greeting the employee on her first day, to making sure she knows a good place for lunch, making an employee feel welcome on her first day can have a tremendous impact.
2. Make new information digestible and accessible: New hires are expected to absorb a tremendous amount of information in a short period of time.  So the simpler the better.  Be sure to cover the basics, and make sure the employee has a copy of your on-boarding checklist so he knows what’s coming.  Instead of making sure the employee knows everything, its more important to make sure he knows where to find the information he needs.  An online knowledge base is a great way to ensure that company information and policies are accessible to all.
3. Form New Relationships: Besides introducing the new hire to her job responsibilities and company policies, be sure to introduce her to her new coworkers, managers, and administrative staff.  Forming relationships with those people is very important to acclimating to the new company environment.  Beyond simple introductions, be sure the new hire knows the role each person plays on the team, and who she can go to for help or to ask questions.  Many successful on-boarding workflows assign the new hire a mentor to guide her through the orientation process.
4. Drink the Kool-Aid: When a new hire walks into a company, he needs to feel a sense of community and culture right from the start.  The company should make very clear its mission, vision, and the employee’s role in fulfilling those goals. By inspiring pride and giving the employee a sense of the big picture during the on-boarding process, he will get on board, adapt and thrive that much more quickly.
5. Ask the Expert: The whole point of the employee on-boarding process is to get the employee up to speed on company policies, start developing the relationships the employee needs to succeed, and ensure that the employee is engaged and ready to thrive in her new work environment.  Want to know if its working?  Ask her!  Employee feedback can help your company to dramatically improve and optimize the employee on-boarding process.