Comprehensive employee orientation program

This will set the tone for your time at this job. Make sure you bring a pen and a small notepad to take notes. If they provided you with an employee handbook before the orientation, make sure you thoroughly read everything and have your questions ready.

The purpose of the orientation is to give you all the information you need to succeed from day one. Keep this in mind if you become nervous about asking questions. A supervisor or human resources professional should check in with new employees at predetermined points to make sure they are comfortable and succeeding at their job.

These points are typically two weeks in, a month, two months. Each company can choose the intervals that work best for the circumstances. These check-ins should touch on the following questions:. Do they understand the company and its role within the organization? Has communication with their managers been productive? What ideas do they have regarding employee development in the future? Was the job-specific training they received helpful? Did it cover the right areas and was it worth the time and resources spent on them?

Remember, the purpose of employee orientation is to provide basic information to prepare new employees to actively contribute to the organization. Find jobs. Company reviews. He can be reached at dabrannen laborlawyers. The leading source for targeted, industry-specific news briefs. Share this article.

Compliance with government rules At the beginning of the employment relationship, employers must work with employees to have them complete multiple government-mandated forms. Information about the employer's mission, core values and culture In the frenzy to complete the paperwork and attend to all of the details of onboarding a new employee, many employers overlook the need to emphasize their overarching mission, core values and culture in the orientation process. Information about the employer's benefits In some successful organizations, the cost of employee benefits can approach up to 70 percent of the employee's wages or salary.

Information about critical employer policies Plenty of laws regulate the workplace, and diligent employers want to create a paper trail that their employees were informed about the employer's policies and commitment to compliance with such laws.

Introduction to other employees and to the employer's facilities Practically speaking, employers should go to great lengths in the orientation process to introduce new employees to all of the employees and supervisors with whom the new employee may need to interact in the course of performing their jobs. Thorough explanation about the new employee's job duties It almost goes without saying that an effective orientation should include a thorough explanation about the new employee's job duties.

This explanation should include: information about the metrics for success and failure in the job how, when and by whom performance will be measured what resources are available to help the employee learn and succeed in the job how the job is relevant to the employer's overall business The new employee should have the opportunity to shadow or work closely with a successful performer in the job and to ask questions along the way.

Documentation Documenting the orientation process is critical to prove compliance with laws and to protect the employer's interests in all sorts of legal matters, ranging from claims for unemployment or workers' compensation benefits, citations for violation of safety and health rules, charges of discrimination, harassment or retaliation or similar claims.

Conclusion Obviously, new-hire orientation programs need to be tailored to each individual employer and to specific jobs.

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Thus, with the feedback in hand , an organization can improve its structure wherever necessary. An effective orientation program is a significant part of any organization. It depends on how an organization implements the program. We have seen an increase in the number of employees joining the workforce. Without proper guidance, it becomes difficult for employees to cope up with their work. Workplace orientation somehow eases up such shortcomings. And lets the employees build up to their potential at work.

It is not a single step; it is a continuous process. Even the old employees need reorientation due to organizations' new policies and procedures most of the time.

Mrinmoy Rabha is a content writer and digital marketer at Vantage Circle. He is an avid follower of football and passionate about singing. For any related queries, contact editor vantagecircle. We safeguard your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Download Now. Bookmarks You haven't yet saved any bookmarks. Last Updated on 22 September So, what if a new employee is facing the same situation in an organization? SHRM Purpose of Workplace Orientation Employee orientation is as an essential process through which new employees understand their job.

But what is the primary purpose of having an effective orientation program? Let us look at a few essential points to understand the purpose of employee orientation. Getting familiar with the organization: As soon as a new employee joins in, assign them a mentor to show them around the organization. Ask the mentor to make the new employee understand what the company stands for and its values. Introducing company policies and procedures: Every organization has a code of conduct that they follow to maintain decorum.

Your policy can include the following- Dress code Good work ethics Restriction on smoking Emergency procedures and etc. Job Responsibilities and Expectations: During the recruitment process , discussing job description is essential. Employee Benefits: If an organization has retirement benefits and other similar benefits like life insurance, present it to the employee. Building Relationships: An orientation program also focuses on building up workplace relationships.

Concentrating on what the employee needs: When new employees start working in a new organization, they might get skeptical about asking for their needs. The need for Workplace orientation?

Summing it up: An effective orientation program is a significant part of any organization.