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The Onboarding Process

90% Employees Make Their Decision to Stay within the First Six Months.

The Onboarding Benchmark Report
Aberdeen Group

“Onboarding” refers to the process of integrating new employees into the organization, of preparing them to succeed at their job, and to become fully engaged, productive members of the organization. It includes the initial orientation event and the ensuing months thereafter.19  

A well designed onboarding plan can help employees feel welcomed, included, valued and motivated.  It should help new staff adjust to their job and work environment, as well as create a safe, positive environment where new staff are encouraged to ask questions.   Effective programs make an impact on how fast an employee becomes productive too.

To start, employers should make sure new staff members are properly welcomed to the organization and briefed on important information.   Here are a few things you can do:

1. Appoint a point person or mentor, in addition to the supervisor, who can welcome and orient the new staff member to the organization.   Make sure the mentor has specific tasks to cover for the first day, week, and following three months.
2. Send a card or letter welcoming him/her to the agency. Include needed paperwork, employee handbook, benefits, etc.
3. Send an agenda, along with the offer letter, letting the employee know what to expect on the first day.
4. Order business cards.
5. Have any ID and security cards ready.
6. Send a welcome e-mail, along with a new hire FAQ sheet and/or the necessary forms to be filled out.
7. Make sure the employee’s work area is ready.
8. Make a new hire announcement and on the first day, introduce the new staff member to co-workers.
9. Create lunch plans for your new hire’s first few days, helping her/him feel at ease.
10. Don’t leave new hires to figure out the organization’s culture and unwritten rules on their own.  For instance, what is the preferred method of communication – e-mail, phone, or meetings?  How are decisions made?  When are employees expected to act on their own?20