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Work Orientation

Employee orientation is welcoming new employees to the workplace, introducing them to the company strategies and culture. It is a process that requires phases, and it is vital for all recruits despite how qualified the new staff is. It is an interactive process between the new hires and the existing workforce.

In the orientation process, everyone introduces themselves and greets greetings session is created. The management team creates awareness to the new hires about the company's expectations, goals, mission, vision, and strategies. Generally, it is a question-answer session and clarification of the work schedule that usually takes place in the first week of reporting.

What does work orientation entail?

1. Meet-greet session

New hires need to be introduced to the existing staff, which is accomplished through a meet and greet meeting. The company management organizes breakfast or coffee for all staff, and they introduce themselves. Recruits informally interact with the existing staff and create a rapport which aids in creating a calm working environment. It is usual for new hires to be anxious meet and greet session creates freedom of expression.

2. Adaptation

New hires have no idea of the workplace's external environment, and they need to be informed. Taking them through the external environment creates the feeling of togetherness and acceptance. Some of the external environment includes; parking, restaurants, shops, public offices, etc.

3. Administration

The law states that all new hires are supposed to complete Form W-2 and Form I-9 for tax requirements and eligibility purposes, respectively. The new hires are issued with job description forms and government requirements forms to fill. The job description should state clearly employee benefits, expectations, company laws, and the effective date of the benefits.

4. Offer letter

The new hires are offered employment agreements on the orientation day and other agreements. The offer letter officiates the process, and the new staff becomes certain that it is a legal job.

5. Assignment

After hiring, training should follow as soon as possible and introduce them to their duties stated by the job description. It is the joy of the new hires to start work immediately and testify to their competence. The sooner the employees catch up with the existing staff, the higher the profit to the organization.

Employee orientation structure

A typical employee orientation structure has seven steps;

I. Introduce the new hires to the workplace

The human resource team organizes a workplace tour and leaves them to walk freely to all departments. As they visit different departments, they will interact with existing staff and learn the company culture.

II. Provide handbooks

Handbooks act as a manual to the company's payment modes, payment time, and policies. Employee welfare is stated in the handbook, including compensation, benefits, healthcare, employee health and safety, insurance, dressing code, employee-employee conduct, drug abuse and use within the workplace, etc.

III. Vital policies

Organizations have policies, but there are super policies that must be followed no matter the situation. New hires are provided with a policy document to guide them from making apparent mistakes like late coming, employee harassment, etc.

IV. Detailed job description

The job description gives the employee an overview of what the employer expects. The hiring team should stress the proceeds of interviews to ensure the recruits stick to the organization's goals, vision, and mission. The job description, interview proceeds, and orientation should match to aid the recruits in connecting to their new roles.

V. Set goals

On the first week after orientation, employees should be introduced to their supervisors. With the aid of the supervisors, new hires should set achievable goals and seek clarification from the supervisors.

VI. Define expectations

Employees should know what the company expects from them and how the company values the employees. For the employees to meet the employer's expectations, they must have the required resources and tools. The employer and employee should work together to ensure the expectations are met within the set time. Exaggerated expectations should be discussed and rectified to avoid overarching.

It is the joy of employers to register profits, receive positive feedback from employees and external partners. To achieve the mission, vision, and goals, the employer should uphold employee wellbeing through orientation.

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