December 16, 2022
It costs over $4000 to onboard a new employee, so getting it right the first time is critical. The purpose of onboarding is to help new employees feel comfortable in their new roles. It provides them with the information they need to be successful in their job. When small business owners are hiring employees, they should make sure to have a proper onboarding process in place. This helps ensure that all new employees understand the company policies and procedures, as well as culture. It also helps to set expectations for their work. Let's explore what is employee onboarding so you'll get it right the first time. What Is Employee Onboarding? Employee onboarding is the process of helping new employees adjust to their roles in a company. It helps new hires become more productive and helps them understand the culture of their new workplace. Onboarding includes activities such as orientation, training, and other tasks to ensure that the employee is comfortable in their new role. How to Onboard Employees When you're onboarding new employees, the goal is to make them feel welcome and part of the team. You should also make sure they understand all your policies and procedures. Here are some of the steps to follow. Introduce them to their team and colleagues, so they can start building relationships. Explain the company's mission, vision, and values to help orient them to the company culture. Go over the job description and expectations in detail, so they understand what is expected of them. Provide training for their specific role and tasks so they can start working right away. Give them an employee handbook and other relevant documents to familiarize them with company policies and procedures. Show them how to use the systems and tools they'll need for their job. Invite them to team meetings and company events so they can engage with the team. Duration of Onboarding Program This depends on the size and complexity of your organization, as well as the job role. An effective onboarding program should take anywhere from two weeks to six months. One Day to One Week This is the duration when onboarding a single employee or a small team. This timeframe can be used to introduce new hires to the company culture, introduce them to the team, provide basic job training, and give basic onboarding tasks. Two Weeks to One Month This is the ideal duration when onboarding a new team or multiple employees. This timeframe allows for more in-depth training sessions and provides support to help new employees adjust to their roles. One to Six Months This duration is good for onboarding a large team or department. This timeframe allows for more comprehensive training and on-the-job coaching to help new employees fully understand their roles and responsibilities. Three Months to Six Months At this time, it is important to evaluate their performance and take feedback to gauge their engagement. This will help business owners determine if the onboarding process was effective and if any changes need to be made. Additionally, this feedback can help business owners improve their onboarding process for future employees. Six Months to a Year By now, new employees should be onboard and understand their role within the company. They should be fully assimilated and comfortable with the company's culture and values. This is also a good time to plan professional development opportunities for them.