Making the onboarding process successful is crucial for any company that aims to retain talented team members in the long run. A proactive onboarding program is a worthwhile investment in building an effective team.
As more and more companies shift towards remote work, the onboarding process becomes more challenging due to trust-building and communicational barriers. It is important to find a way for your new employees to feel included even though they are physically distant from the rest of the team.
1. Prepare your team for the arrival of the new employee
Even though the new team member might work remotely, they still need to feel like a part of the team. It is crucial to communicate the necessary details to your team before your new employee starts working. Tell them about the new employee’s new position and when they start working. Choose a current member to guide and mentor the new employee, so they don’t feel lost and lack guidance. Make sure to instruct your current team members to be available for your new hire, so they can ask questions if they arise.
2. Prepare their equipment in advance
Ensure that any equipment or tools are ready upon the arrival of your new team member. Mitigate IT issues that might arise in advance and provide system access to the new remote worker to facilitate a smooth transition. Depending on your resources, arrange the needed equipment and send it to your new hire before their first day of work. In addition, if this new employee needs access to any systems, make sure to grant it before time so that they can start working without delay.
3. Schedule one-on-one meetings
As your new team member is transitioning into their new position, it is recommended to schedule regular meetings so that they can stay in touch with you to get support or guidance if needed. It is a standard practice to have one-on-one meetings, although more frequent check-ins with new remote employees are recommended. You can use your first one-on-one meetings to cover major milestones in your new hire’s onboarding process to provide an option to ask any questions they may have. Also, such meetings are great for building trust.
4. Set working norms and clear expectations
Communicating expectations clearly is extremely important to those who work remotely. While some people thrive by working independently, others require external accountability to stay motivated. It is essential to define clear expectations and responsibilities for your new hire. This way, they become aware of their key functions and the working norms established in your organization.
Onboarding workers is a significant undertaking, and doing so remotely can be even more challenging. However, the ROI for properly training new employees is worth the effort. We hope that this article will help you achieve more with eager and productive remote employees.
