An onboarding time plan provides new hires with a clear schedule for the coming weeks. This establishes expectations for a new employee's first month, and knowing what to expect allows them to fully prepare.
Fremont, CA: Having an engaging onboarding program is critical in helping new employees learn the fundamentals of their job, understand your company culture, and ensure they have the tools they need to succeed in their new role.
As remote work becomes more common, it is critical to ensure that your virtual onboarding process is seamless. Here are the top tips for the successful onboarding of new remote employees.
Create an Onboarding Checklist and Time Plan
A checklist ensures that all of the important (and sometimes time-consuming) first-week onboarding tasks are completed.
An onboarding time plan provides new hires with a clear schedule for the coming weeks. This establishes expectations for a new employee's first month, and knowing what to expect allows them to fully prepare.
Create a timetable that includes live sessions with new hires to highlight company values, culture, product and service information, and any other important information they require. Incorporate fun exercises for everyone to meet their new teammates during these sessions.
Buddy up
Employees who work remotely must be encouraged to interact with one another! Assigning a buddy helps new hires understand the nuances of their role and the company as a whole.
Managers should continue to be an important part of onboarding, but a buddy is easily approachable and provide friendlier guidance in situations where the new employee may require assistance.
Checking on New Employees
The worst thing a new employee can experience is feeling isolated and out of the loop. Their first week will set the tone for what they can expect from their new job, and by communicating frequently, the employee will feel more supported and welcome.
The days of randomly bumping into people in the hallway or stopping by desks are over, so make sure to schedule daily check-ins to ensure new employees are processing all of the onboarding information. During this time, team-building activities can also help to create a supportive environment.
The Work-From-Home Equipment Pack
When starting a new job, an employee is usually given their own desk and technology, but many find it difficult to recreate the ideal work environment at home.
Consider allocating an initial budget for each remote worker to set up their home office and providing a list of office essentials as part of their onboarding package. If you decide to provide the equipment, such as laptops and monitors, make sure it arrives before their first day, so they have enough time to get everything set up.
You should also provide an ongoing allowance for employees to use toward electricity, internet, phone, and other supplies.
