Best Onboarding Practices To Give Your New Employees A Great Introduction to Your Company

Successful onboarding is a crucial process that establishes the tone for a new employee’s experience within a company. It is an essential component of any talent management strategy, with significant implications for employee engagement, retention, and productivity. A strong onboarding programme can boost employee retention and productivity, whereas a mediocre programme can lead to disengagement, turnover, and a negative impact.

According to research by SHRM, a strong onboarding programme can significantly improve employee retention rates, whereas a low-engaging onboarding programme can experience high turnover rates. Companies should consider incorporating best practices such as comprehensive orientation, mentorship and well-designed training programs to create an effective onboarding programme.

We have compiled some of the best onboarding practices that can help you give your new employees a great first impression of your company. Read on to find out more about the key components of the onboarding programme.

Set a clear Orientation Schedule

A well-planned orientation process can make new employees feel welcomed and engaged in the onboarding process. It provides a solid understanding of the company’s culture, values, policies, and expectations. A detailed orientation schedule should cover topics related to the company’s mission, vision, and values. It should also provide an overview of the company’s history, organizational structure, and key stakeholders. 

It should also include an introduction to company policies and procedures, such as health and safety, benefits, and time off. According to research by Wynhurst Group a good orientation program can impact employee engagement and retention rates. Employees who went through a structured onboarding programme were 58% more likely to stay with the company for three years or more.

Furthermore, a well-defined orientation schedule can help new employees feel more prepared and confident in their new roles, which can increase their productivity levels. New employees are better equipped to perform their duties effectively and efficiently if they are provided with a thorough overview of the company and its policies.

Give your new employees an employee handbook and Welcome Kit

A welcome kit can make new hires feel valued and appreciated, while an employee handbook can provide a depth of information on the company’s policies, procedures, and expectations. A comprehensive overview of the company’s policies and procedures, including those governing employee conduct, performance expectations, benefits, and time off, should be included in an employee handbook. 

Giving this information upfront can make new employees feel more informed and prepared to take on their new responsibilities. A welcome kit can also make new employees feel valued and appreciated. This kit could include company-branded items like a coffee mug, water bottle, or t-shirt. It can also include a personalized note from their manager or team members welcoming them to the company.

According to research, providing new employees with an employee handbook and welcome kit can improve employee engagement and retention. According to a CareerBuilder survey, 56% of employers believe that providing company kits can improve the new hire experience. 

Explain Company Culture and Goals

Giving new employees a thorough understanding of the company’s culture and goals can aid in their learning about the company’s values, priorities, and vision. A clear understanding of the company’s culture can also assist new employees in settling into their new workplace more efficiently. When new employees understand and embrace the company culture, they are more likely to feel connected and engaged.

The Employees are better equipped to work towards achieving the company’s goals and objectives when they understand them, which can lead to improved performance and productivity. The engagement and retention rates can be significantly impacted by a strong company culture and well-defined goals. According to a Deloitte study, organizations with a strong sense of purpose and positive company culture have higher levels of employee performance, lower turnover rates, and higher levels of customer satisfaction.

Communicate about their new role, company and team members

Communication about the new employee’s role, the company, and team members is among the best practices in effective onboarding. Organizations can help new employees feel more prepared and informed by providing a piece of clear and detailed information about the aspects of the job, which can lead to increased engagement and job satisfaction.

When communicating about the new employee’s role, provide a thorough overview of their responsibilities and expectations. This can include details about the projects they will be working on, the skills and tools they will need to do their job, and the key performance indicators against which they might be evaluated. Providing this information upfront can help new employees feel more confident in their new role and better prepared to succeed.

Moreover, discussing the company and team members can help new employees feel more connected and engaged with their new workplace. It can include company history, mission, values information, and introduction to key team members and stakeholders. By establishing these connections early on, new employees can feel more at ease and integrated into their new workplace.

Assign a Buddy for Every New Employee

Every new employee should be assigned a buddy, which can be a good practice for engaging new hires in onboarding. A buddy system matches a new employee with a more experienced coworker who can provide guidance and support as well as answer any questions the new hire may have.

Having a buddy can make new employees feel more at ease and connected to the company culture, and also makes it easier for them to navigate their new role. According to a survey by the Society for Human Resource Management, companies which inculcate a buddy system have higher levels of employee engagement and job satisfaction among new hires.

Likewise, having a buddy can aid in the retention of new hires. Assigning a buddy to each new employee can be a beneficial way to create a positive and supportive onboarding experience while also increasing employee engagement and retention rates.

Set up frequent and scheduled check-ins

Check-ins allow new employees to receive feedback, ask questions, and discuss any concerns they might have that must be included in your onboarding plan. Regular check-ins can help new employees feel supported while also ensuring that new hires are adjusting to their new roles and responsibilities. Managers can help new employees set clear expectations and goals by providing frequent and structured feedback.

According to research, regular check-ins can have a positive impact on employee engagement and retention. According to a Gallup study, employees who receive weekly feedback are 3.5 times more likely to be engaged in their jobs, and those who believe their opinions are heard and valued are more likely to stay with their company long-term. Scheduled check-ins can help both the new employee and their manager develop a sense of accountability and transparency.

 Streamline paperwork processes

New employees are required to fill out multiple pieces of paperwork, such as tax forms, employment contracts, and other legal documents. These processes can be time-consuming and cumbersome, leading to disengagement and confusion. Organizations can simplify the onboarding experience for new employees by streamlining the paperwork processes. It can be accomplished by digitizing paperwork and making it easily accessible via an online portal. It can also include giving clear instructions on how to complete each document and including all necessary forms in a welcome packet or onboarding kit.

According to a survey by the Society for Human Resource Management, 60% of new hires believe that the most difficult part of the onboarding process is completing paperwork. Streamlining the paperwork processes can assist organizations in saving time and resources. This can reduce administrative costs and free up time for HR staff to focus on other aspects of the onboarding process by eliminating the need for manual data entry and document filing.

Make sure their workstation and tech are ready to use from day one

Ensuring that a new employee’s workstation and technology are ready to use from day one is very important. By having everything set up and ready to go, new employees can feel more at ease and confident in their new workplace, leading to increased engagement and job satisfaction.

It is especially important in virtual onboarding to ensure that new employees’ technology is properly configured and operational. Configuring email accounts, granting access to necessary software and tools, and providing instructions on how to use any software equipment or systems are all examples of what this entails. Organizations can help new employees feel welcome, engaged, and ready to perform their job duties with confidence by providing an organized and fully equipped workspace.

Provide them with all the necessary training

By giving new hires the tools, resources, and knowledge, they need to succeed in their roles, organizations can help improve new hire experience, engagement, and job satisfaction. The type and amount of training that new employees receive can vary depending on their role, level of experience, and the specific requirements of the job. This can include general company-wide training on topics such as the company’s mission, values, and culture, as well as job-specific training on tools, processes, and systems.

It is important to provide training in a variety of formats, including online courses, in-person workshops, and one-on-one sessions. This can help cater to different learning styles and preferences, and ensure that new employees have a solid understanding of their job responsibilities and expectations. By giving new hires the knowledge and resources they need to succeed in their roles, organizations can help improve workplace culture.

One of the top priorities of an employer should be to create a positive and welcoming environment for new employees. By doing so, you can lay the groundwork for a smooth onboarding process, which can lead to increased job satisfaction, engagement, and productivity. A warm and welcoming onboarding experience has been shown in studies to have a significant impact on employee satisfaction and retention rates. One important aspect of a warm and welcoming onboarding process is ensuring that new employees feel valued and supported from the start. 

Furthermore, creating a comfortable and functional workspace can make new employees feel more at ease and prepared to perform their duties. It is more likely to increase new employees’ satisfaction and productivity if employers create a warm and welcoming environment for them. This will eventually lead to improved job performance, engagement, and retention rates, all of which can benefit your organization’s bottom line.