5 Steps for Onboarding New Employees

Author: David Godden, published: Jan 13, 22

With the average cost of hiring a new employee amounting to many thousands of pounds and the recruitment process taking almost a month, the last thing you want is for your new recruits to slip out the door as soon as they’ve set foot in it. This is why it is so important to invest in your onboarding process. With a good onboarding process in place, your new recruits will feel valuable and comfortable from the offset.

These are some of the main actions to take as part of your onboarding process, to help ensure your employees are happy from the moment they set foot in your organisation.

Check-in Prior to Start Date

Many companies start the onboarding process when the new recruit joins, however, the process should begin well before it. Prior to a new person starting, they are likely to feel excited, but also nervous and apprehensive. Starting a new job is a new chapter and a step into the unknown, which for many people, can make them feel a little anxious.

If you haven’t been in touch with the new start for weeks or even months since the offer was made, this can further exacerbate these feelings. Simply by checking in before their start date and answering any questions they may have, can go a long way to making them feel more comfortable.

Desk Ready

There is nothing worse for a new start than to turn up at work with no access to a computer, a desk or issues logging into systems. It is essential to ensure that your new recruit has everything in place before they start, otherwise they are likely to feel disengaged from the offset.

Some key actions to take include:

• Ensuring the employee has access to the systems

• Desk and equipment ordered and ready for first day

• HR forms prepared to be completed

• Access to employee handbook and other relevant policies and procedures

Introductions

Your new start should feel that they are valued and that they are part of the company. Sending out an introduction email informing everyone of your new employee on their first day is a nice touch.

Of course, formal face-to-face or online one-to-one introductions may be necessary with the people they are dealing with day to day. Communication is key when it comes to employees, and particularly for those trying to embed themselves within the organisation.

Buddy

Starting a new job can be daunting, and as part of the onboarding process, it may be worth teaming the new start up with a ‘buddy.’

A buddy is someone that will work with them on a one-to-one basis, showing them the ropes and helping them whenever they need support. They may even share breaks and lunch with the new recruit to help them settle in.

Training and Development Plan

The onboarding process should also include a training program and formal development plan. It will advise the new start on what they will need to learn to perform well in their role and what their overall goals will be. The new start should be aware of your expectations of them from the offset.

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At Thymometrics, we believe that employee engagement is key in not just the onboarding process but also throughout the employee’s journey with the organisation. We provide always-on surveys and feedback solutions to help you engage positively with your employees. The simple tools we provide will help ensure you empower employees from their first day.

For more information, please call 01223 750251, email hello@thymometrics.com or visit thymometrics.com.