Onboarding employees is an important step in building your company. It is good for both the brand and for investment purposes. The first day is always the most important day when it comes to New Hires. Making them feel comfortable right off the bat should be a priority. Not only is it just a nice thing to do, but it can profit you and the company in the long run. If they start out on the right foot it will boost morale and productivity.
If an employee does not feel prepared, or they are walking into a disorganized mess, they are less likely to stay. According to research done by Glassdoor, good onboarding can improve employee retention by upwards of 82%. However, research done by Gallup shows that only 12% of employees believe their company has a great onboarding process. The first day usually sets the pace for how the rest of it goes. How would you say your onboarding process is? Is there anything you need to change to ensure you are making it useful, and memorable? Here are just some ideas on how to make their first day effective.
Send a welcome announcement
You should send out a welcome announcement before the employee’s first day, introducing them to everyone. This announcement should include their name, title, and what team they will be working with. This will help other employees to feel prepared to welcome the new hire, and then the new hire will feel more welcome. It is never a bad idea to learn things about them to include in the announcement, so it is easier for other employees to connect with them and find common interests.
Ensure someone is there to greet them
Your new hire should never just walk into the building aimlessly. There should be a happy, smiling face ready to welcome them in on their first day. This can ensure the employee knows exactly where to report to, and it will have them meet their first colleague!
Give them a tour, introduce them
Instead of centering the first day on paperwork and processes (like most companies do), take this time to allow the employee to gain some comfort in their new space. Give them a quick tour, as you walk past employees, introduce them. So many new hires get lost in new buildings their first day, so make sure you show them where to find whatever they may need, including things like bathrooms and lunchrooms.
Have all of their equipment set up
There is nothing worse than not being prepared for a new employee. You shouldn’t be rushing around on the morning of trying to get all of their materials ready. If the new hire has a desk/workspace, you should have everything already set up for them. It might even be a nice gesture to provide them with a welcome gift, like a branded coffee mug, or something of the sort.
The first day is always stressful for everyone, but especially for the employee. There should always be structure on their first day, but allow them to meet other people and not be tied to paperwork all day. If you are working from home, check out our blog Virtual Team-Building Activities That Remote Leaders Can Utilize
