Moving into a whole new onboarding experience

From an organization’s perspective, getting the right people not only for the right job but at the right time can be critical for a company. Once you have the right candidate, it will take a considerable amount of time before the employee can be fully productive. It is important for new employees to know what the company expects of them, the guidelines, and the boundaries to perform expected duties. In an ever-changing world, the workplace has transformed dramatically from a formal setting to a more relaxed one. Work from home has seen an increase since the COVID-19 pandemic, adding to the challenge of getting in new recruits and getting them to stick to tasks with minimal supervision. Proper guidelines are needed for employees to work with confidence, knowing the company's objectives, goals, and personal boundaries. Onboarding has become a critical part of the employment process since it could lead to serious consequences if not done properly.

For an employee, coming into a new work environment can be stressful. Expectations to live up to, new people to meet, and a whole new learning process. Onboarding can help relieve the stress of integration into a company and help employees become productive quickly. A study done by the Society of Human Resource Management found that 69% of employees who had a structured onboarding process remained in the company for the next 3 years (Bauer, 2010).

Benefits of onboarding

• Increased job fulfillment
• Dedication to the organization
• Elevated performance levels
• Reduced stress levels
• Low turnover 
• Carrier Efficiency 

Every employee is unique, and their onboarding should be too. Tailoring the onboarding experience to each individual can help them feel valued and appreciated. This could include assigning a mentor or buddy to help guide them through their first few weeks.

The key to a good onboarding process

1. Information on company policies and benefits. During onboarding, the first step is to provide information about the company policies and benefits to let the new employee know the boundaries and his/her entitlement, which will ease the stress of feeling out of place.
2. Provide role clarity. This includes providing reporting structure and expectations around job responsibilities, expected performance, and operating procedures. Providing this information during onboarding can help new employees feel more confident and prepared.
3. Complete training when it comes to job-specific and IT systems unique to the specific organization Investing in the time to provide training will significantly reduce the time taken for employees to adapt to the change quickly and efficiently. It can also reduce the number of errors when new employees take over work tasks.
4. Defining company culture can give employees a sense of belonging or a chance to adapt. It can also be highly beneficial, especially when the organization has multiethnic employees. What sounds good in one culture can be offensive in another, and gaining an understanding of a team can help with team building.
5. The opportunity to build social connections helps new employees cultivate a sense of team spirit. An out-of-the-office event or social gathering can boost the spirits of a newly formed team or a new member joining one. Outside-the-office events could set the tone for bonding in a relaxed environment.   

In summary, an effective onboarding experience can set the stage for a successful employee-employer relationship. By providing clear expectations, a personalized approach, comprehensive training, ongoing support, and leveraging technology, organizations can help new employees feel welcomed, valued, and prepared to contribute to the organization's success.

Personal reflection 

Onboarding is an essential process for any new hire, as it sets the tone for their overall experience with the company. Organizations should invest in creating a comprehensive onboarding program that includes training, mentorship, and opportunities to build relationships. New employees should also take an active role in their onboarding experience, asking questions, seeking feedback, and participating in any training or orientation programs. A positive onboarding experience sets the foundation for a successful career and long-term engagement with the organization. 

References

1. Bauer, T.N. (2010). Onboarding New Employees: Maximizing Success. [online] SHRM Foundation. Available at: https://www.shrm.org/foundation/ourwork/initiatives/resources-from-past-initiatives/Documents/Onboarding%20New%20Employees.pdf.

3. Duke, T. (2020). Surviving the Corporate Culture Shock of COVID-19: 4 Tips For HR & Business Leaders. [online] Starling Minds. Available at: https://www.starlingminds.com/surviving-the-corporate-culture-shock-of-covid-19-4-tips-for-hr-business-leaders [Accessed 07 Mar. 2023].

2. HR360Inc (2015). 5 Must-Do’s for Employee Onboarding. YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYioOsb71rc  [Accessed 11 Mar. 2023]

4. Lalwani, P. (2021). What Is Employee Onboarding Process? Definition, Templates, and Best Practices. [online] Spiceworks. Available at: https://www.spiceworks.com/hr/recruitment-onboarding/articles/what-is-new-employee-onboarding.

5. Sibisi,S. and Kappers,G. (2022). Onboarding Can Make or Break a New Hire’s Experience. [online] Harvard Business Review. Available at: https://hbr.org/2022/04/onboarding-can-make-or-break-a-new-hires-experience [Accessed 14 Mar. 2023].

6. Tucker, J. (2018). 5 ways to make your office a relaxing place to work. [online] &Offices. Available at: https://www.andoffices.com/?p=690  [Accessed 09 Mar. 2023].