Onboarding is a very important part of the employee lifecycle, but can often be overlooked or rushed. There are many reasons it could be time to rethink your approach and implement an intentional onboarding process. Once an employee has signed their offer letter, here are some reasons you may want to modify your onboarding practices:
To Meet Legislative Compliance
In Ontario, all new employees must complete the following four mandatory trainings:
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
Worker/Supervisor Health and Safety Awareness
Workplace Violence and Harassment
Additionally, all new employees must fill out the provincial and federal tax forms to ensure the proper amount of personal tax credit return is set up with their payroll information.
Employers must also orient new hires about the health and safety hazards they may encounter at work and must be able to demonstrate their due diligence in this. Having a process to complete and document these pieces is crucial.
To Make New Hires Feel Welcome
Starting a new job can be nerve-wracking and intimidating. By providing your new hire with instructions or information about what to expect before their first day, on their first day, and during the training process they can feel more comfortable and a part of the team. Even small things, like the office dress code or where to park are helpful details to have. Nothing says we’re glad to have you join the team like showing you took the time to prepare for their start.
To Reduce the Training Time Required
An onboarding process that includes providing the new hire with documented policies and procedures can significantly cut down on training time. Starting a new job can feel like information overload. The new hire will have those resources to reference as they become more familiar with your company. It will also make filling vacant roles much easier as you’ll know exactly the tasks and experience someone will need to perform the documented duties. Another tool for reducing training time is pairing new hires up with long-term employees during their onboarding so they can ask questions to support their learning.
To Help Employees Understand Your Culture and Meet your Team
Onboarding is a great time to create employee buy-in by helping them understand the organization’s mission, vision, and values, and is also an opportunity for you to learn more about their motivations for joining the organization. Pairing this information together can help the new hire see how the two align and create investment in your workplace. Getting to know the employee better should be a two-way street; during their onboarding it’s important to create intentional opportunities for them to get to know their coworkers better as well.
To Make a Good First Impression
You never get a second chance to make a first impression. By creating a thoughtful onboarding process, you’re showing the employee you’re dedicated to them, which can make them more dedicated to your workplace, leading to increased employee retention and engagement.
Are you onboarding new employees and looking to make it the best experience possible? Reach out and we’ll help you establish your onboarding plans, or download our DIY onboarding resource for guidance to update it yourself!