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What is onboarding? The term by itself sounds nautical, having to do with setting sail; in that respect, it's a somewhat relevant employment term — people board a boat to explore new adventures, and they enter a profession for similar reasons.
Onboarding an employee is about setting the person up for productivity and success and limiting setbacks or disruptions. Learn how to onboard a new employee, ensuring integration into the company and its culture.
HOW TO ONBOARD A NEW EMPLOYEE IN 6 STEPS
As employees set sail on their new career paths, they need support like that from a navigational guide. It is unfair to drop an employee into the corporate waters untethered and without helping them align their sails with the currents of business operations and culture.
Onboarding takes time and patience. New employees ask questions and often make mistakes, especially within their first year. Management and human resource departments can help individuals adapt by creating an official onboarding process, which should include six steps.
1. INTRODUCTORY PAPERWORK AND ESSENTIALS
Onboarding a new employee starts before their first official day; some professionals may refer to it as pre-boarding — a brief or packet of information and a welcome or congratulatory note. The pre-boarding packet should include:
- Essential paperwork
- Employee handbook and company dress code
- Start date, time, and location
- First-week schedule and agenda
- Necessary passwords and usernames
2. FIRST-DAY SIT-DOWN AND TOUR
Management and HR representatives learn how to onboard a new employee through corporate governance and supervisory guidance. The protocols written into the organization instruct the successful integration of new employees.
On the first day, an employee should sit with an HR representative to discuss role responsibilities, receive job clarifications, and follow up with a guided tour of the facility. The tour should highlight all essential spaces, including lunch or break rooms, supervisor offices, and personal workspace.
3. WORKSPACE SET-UP
New employees need an introduction to the software and work environment. Part of the onboarding process should include a brief introductory tour of their office or cubicle space. Remote workers may also need virtual instruction about accessing employee portals or using company software.
4. INFORMAL INTRODUCTIONS
To help ease the transition into a new workforce, HR or management should offer informal introductions. Many people feel more comfortable if brief introductions occur over a meal, such as lunch. The relaxed nature of lunch can help reduce some first-day nerves because it takes the pressure off the initial sit-down.
5. FORMAL SUPERVISOR INTRODUCTION
One of the final steps of how to onboard a new employee is the supervisor introduction. The supervisor can help the new team member understand roles and specific expectations. A team lead can also help the employee set goals and understand the position further.
6. REGULAR FOLLOW-UPS
The first day for a new hire is a lot to handle. The employee receives information from many sources — HR, supervisors, and other employees. It's nearly impossible for any individual to retain every piece of information, so regular follow-ups with the new employee are crucial to ongoing success.
MORE HELP LEARNING HOW TO ONBOARD A NEW EMPLOYEE
Learning how to onboard a new employee is challenging, especially for younger companies. If you're looking for staffing solutions and onboarding strategies, visit TSP.
