The onboarding process—which is designed to cultivate a long-term relationship between the employer and the employee while fostering a feeling of belonging and an affirmation of making the right choice—is vital for both employers and employees. Employers should still prioritize onboarding new hires, even though their training will be conducted virtually instead of in-person due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Why Is Onboarding Important?Â
A study published in the Academy of Management Journal found that the first 90 days of employment is a pivotal period for employees to build rapport with a company, management, and co-workers. When you share your company’s goals and values with your employees while simultaneously showing them how to do their jobs, everyone benefits.
Best Practices for Remote OnboardingÂ
If you have new hires who need to be onboarded remotely during the pandemic, keep the following best practices:Â
- Meet with them in-person on their first day, if possible. If your local laws allow for it, try to meet with new hires at the office to welcome them to the company, get them set up with any necessary equipment, and deliver any printed training materials. Be sure to test the equipment to make sure it works before you both leave the office. Keep social distancing guidelines in mind when meeting with new hires, including keeping a 6-foot distance at all times. While it may seem odd, avoid shaking hands to prevent the spread of COVID-19.Â
- Set clear expectations with new hires. One of the most common mistakes employers make with onboarding plans is not setting clear expectations. Because your onboarding process is now being done remotely and you’re not there in-person to monitor a new hire’s progress, setting expectations becomes even more critical. Expectations that should be discussed include the company’s values, the team’s objectives, and the new hire’s responsibilities.Â
- Don’t overwhelm new hires with too much training. Remotely training new hires isn’t ideal for managers or the new employee. As such, prioritize the training and only train new hires on the essential skills for them to be able to do their job. Overwhelming new employees with too much information when they’re working from home can lead to confusion, stress, and frustration.Â
- Check-in with new hires daily. Having employees work from home can help keep them healthy, but it can become isolating, especially for new hires. Schedule a daily call or video chat to help new hires feel like part of the team and allow them to ask questions.Â
- Match a new hire with a remote mentor. Assigning mentors to new hires can be highly advantageous to both parties. It gives new hires someone to contact for questions and helps mentors develop confidence and pride in their jobs. Encourage mentors to have daily check-ins with new hires to establish a professional relationship and help the new hires feel included.Â
For More InformationÂ
An effective onboarding program, regardless of whether it’s an in-person program or a remote program, provides employers with a solid starting point during which they can communicate their values to their employees and explain why they do what they do. It also helps new hires quickly assimilate into the company culture. An employee who has gone through a positive onboarding experience helps build a positive reputation for his or her company among talented job seekers.
While onboarding your new hires remotely may not be your first choice, the COVID-19 pandemic has required employers to get creative. For more information about how your organization can respond to the pandemic, or for additional onboarding resources, contact United Benefits Group.Â