So you’ve
hired your new employee and they show up on the first day. That’s a good start, but will it be their
most productive day at work? Maybe it
won’t be. Will it be the day that you
decide if this person is going to fit at your business? This is also not likely.
However, that first
day and the days that follow will be the most crucial time period for the new employee in terms of learning what’s expected, what they are supposed to do,
how your business operates and where they fit into the larger picture.
In
making this transition a smooth and efficient process you should provide a
company overview, your policies and job descriptions. This can all be told to a
new employee but it’s a lot to take in so an orientation package that explains
all the important aspects of your business, their job and what is expected of
an employee will speed the process up. Included with this orientation package
should be what is expected of them and what happens when they choose to deviate
from these expectations. This is so they
can avoid any unnecessary behaviours or actions. This type of orientation is an
important way to avoid misunderstandings that could cause future problems and
creates a smoother transition for all parties involved.
Training is the next
important step and how this is done will vary from one workplace to another but
simply expecting a new employee will do things right and in the way that your
business normally does them is unrealistic.
New employees often come into a workplace
with either little or no experience in exactly the job that you have them doing.
Perhaps, the experience they do have gave them
different habits or ways of thinking than would normally be expected at your
business.
Training has to be gradual and conducted in more than one way to best
deliver your message. Be sure to take
into account that some people will learn better through different methods or at
a different pace. Be thorough, expect bumps in the road and make sure you ask
for feedback so you know how your employee is adjusting and where they need
more help.
