There is a remarkable disparity in the way organizations handle the process of assimilating and training new employees. In large companies with highly evolved hierarchies, it is likely that the HR group initiates the intake and orientation process and supervises a new hires integration into the company up to a certain point. In smaller or more decentralized organizations, the entire welcome, integration and training process may be conducted informally, even randomly (if at all), leaving the employee to learn on the fly so to speak.
No matter what processes an organization may already have (or not have) in place, one thing is certain: it falls to the team manager to make sure that each new employee on the team has everything he or she needs to feel welcome and quickly reach a comfort level with the rest of the team, the requirements of the job and the entire organization. It is never wise to assume that just because HR handed this employee a packet of information, had them watch a video and made them fill out a sheaf of forms that the new team member has everything he or she needs to fit in and get into the workflow.
There are several things a successful manager will always provide for new employees to help them be at their best in their new job setting. A little thought and attention given to these matters during the first couple of days the new employee is on the job will make a world of difference in the employees attitude and productivity going forward.
All too often employee orientations end up as more of a hazing ritual than making the new employee feel like a welcome part of the team. The endless barrage of paperwork, new faces, and new processes can leave new-hires feeling dizzy and overwhelmed. Its like trying to find your way around during the first day in a foreign country, and you dont speak the language.
As a rule, making sure employees receive a high level of support and assistance during their initial orientation period can increase retention rates by as much as 25%. Conversely, the frustration that new employees face when they are not adequately supported during this time can also slow time to productivity and increase the number of errors on the job.
There are three important things a manager can do to help a new employee begin to feel at home and get up to speed quickly.
Make New Hires Feel Welcome While this would seem to be a no brainer, it still requires a little time and effort. Introduce the new hire to the rest of the team, make sure they have everything they need at their desk or workspace, make sure they know who to consult if they have questions and give them a quick tour of the facility if they havent had one yet.
