Congratulations, you just hired a new employee! Now it’s time to ensure that they feel welcome and informed about their role in your organization.

This is where employee orientation comes into play – an essential part of the onboarding process that ensures your new hire has a smooth transition into their new role.

We’ll discuss the definition of employee orientation and its benefits for both employees and employers, and share some best practices to help you create an effective orientation program.

Let’s dive in and learn how to make your new hires feel like valued team members from day one!

What Is Employee Orientation?

It involves providing them with information about company policies, procedures, and culture so that they feel comfortable in their new work environment.

The purpose of employee orientation is to help new employees learn the ropes quickly and effectively. This includes:

• familiarizing them with the job’s responsibilities and expectations
• introducing them to the company’s core values
• providing them with the tools they need to succeed
• answering any burning work-related questions they may have

Employee orientation programs can vary depending on the size and complexity of an organization. They can be conducted in person or virtually through online platforms. 

Regardless of the delivery method, a successful orientation program should aim to present information clearly and consistently to new hires.

Employee Orientation vs. Employee Onboarding

Employee orientation and employee onboarding are terms that are often used interchangeably but they refer to different processes.

The onboarding process begins when a candidate signs the job offer and becomes a future employee, and ends when they can independently perform the job they were hired to do.

This extensive process can take several months and includes everything from initial orientation activities to ongoing training and development opportunities as the person transitions into their new role.

In contrast, employee orientation typically refers to the first day/week a new employee spends with a company, and involves introducing the employee to the company culture, policies, procedures, and benefits. 

Employee orientation is an essential part of the entire onboarding process – but only a part.

Both processes serve important purposes in helping new hires acclimate to their jobs and companies. 

However, employers need to understand the differences between onboarding and orientation so they can develop effective programs for each stage of an employee’s journey in their organization.

The Benefits of New Employee Orientation

Employee orientation is the first step in a newcomer’s journey and lays the foundation for everything that comes after. 

There is no doubt that the benefits of a well-designed new employee orientation program are enormous. 

Some of the benefits of employee orientation are:

• It builds trust and boosts growth. Firstly, it helps new hires to feel welcomed and valued in their new role, which can lead to increased job satisfaction, motivation, and productivity. Orientation also helps employees become familiar with the company’s culture, policies, procedures, and expectations.
• Helps with retention of employees. Another benefit of new employee orientation is that it can help reduce employee turnover rates. When employees are properly trained through orientation programs, they tend to stay with the company longer because they understand what is expected of them from day one.
• Increases loyalty to the organization. Orientation also allows for better communication between team members and departments by introducing new hires to key people in the organization. This helps create a sense of belonging and encourages teamwork among coworkers and, ultimately, loyalty to the organization.
• Ensures regulatory compliance. Orientation is an important tool for ensuring compliance with legal requirements, such as health and safety or anti-discrimination laws. It also allows the employer to effectively communicate important information from the employee handbook, such as workplace protocols or emergency procedures.

Employee Orientation Best Practices

A well-executed employee orientation is key to making a positive first impression. Below are some best practices you can follow to ensure your employee orientation program is effective:

Present your company’s values and culture right from the beginning

Introducing your company’s values and culture at this crucial time shows new hires how to align with the company’s goals.

During new hire orientation, display your mission statement prominently in the office space or virtually if it takes place remotely. Posters, graphics, or videos can serve as visual aids.

It’s also important to explain how each value is implemented in your company’s day-to-day operations. Provide examples of how employees apply these core principles in their daily tasks.

By communicating a clear understanding of what makes your workplace unique, you create expectations from day one and encourage engagement from all team members alike.

Assign a buddy

Assigning a buddy to new employees is a popular practice that helps them feel welcome and supported. This involves pairing the new employee with an experienced team member who can offer guidance, answer questions, and provide insight into the company culture.

A buddy ensures that new hires have someone to check in with when they need help navigating unfamiliar territory. They can show them around during an office tour, introduce them to other team members, and even take them out for lunch or coffee.

Because buddies are beneficial not only for fostering professional relationships but also personal ones, it’s not uncommon for companies to see reduced employee turnover because of this initiative, as it creates strong bonds between colleagues.

Set time aside for paperwork

Setting time aside for paperwork during employee orientation may seem like a mundane task, but it is crucial to ensure that your new hires are familiarized with company policies and procedures.

First things first, make sure you have all the necessary forms and documents ready before new employees arrive on their first day. This could include tax forms, benefits enrollment paperwork, emergency contact information, etc.

Moreover, schedule a specific window of time in the orientation agenda to complete the paperwork. It’s important to give new employees adequate time to thoroughly read through each document and ask questions. 

To avoid overwhelming them with an abundance of paperwork all at once, it might be a good idea to spread the process out over the first week or two of their employment. (Hopefully, they aren’t going anywhere!)

Introduce new employees to the team 

Introducing new employees makes them feel welcomed and appreciated by their colleagues. One way to introduce new employees is through an email or announcement on your company’s internal communications platform. 

In this introduction, include the new employee’s name, role, and department, and a brief description of their previous experience. You can also add fun facts about them that will help break the ice with other team members.

Another great way to introduce new employees is at a team meeting or lunch. This gives everyone a chance to meet face-to-face and get to know each other on a more personal level.

Managers and colleagues alike must participate in the new employee’s introduction, as this will help create an inclusive environment from day one.

Use a checklist

Using a new employee orientation checklist can help ensure that all necessary information is covered and nothing important is overlooked.

Creating a detailed checklist before each new employee’s arrival can also provide structure for the human resource management team in charge of the orientation experience. 

This way, all team members know what tasks need to be completed and when they should be completed. 

When creating an orientation checklist, it’s important to include both job-specific information as well as general company policies and procedures. This ensures that each new employee has a full understanding of their role and how it fits into the larger picture of the organization.

Last but not least, a successful orientation checklist should also leave room for flexibility so that HR teams can tailor their approach based on individual needs or situations. Some employees may need additional training or support beyond what is normally provided during orientation.

Offer new employees branded swag

Offering branded swag during the employee orientation process is a simple yet effective way to show appreciation for new hires while promoting company culture and branding. 

Branded swag can include customized t-shirts, sustainable water bottles, refillable personalized pens, or even key chains with the company logo on them. These small gifts can go a long way in making new employees feel special and excited about their new job.

Another benefit of offering branded swag during employee orientation is that it creates an opportunity for team bonding. New employees may strike up a conversation with others who comment on their new shirt or bag.

The branded swag you offer must align with your company values and mission. For example, if your company is environmentally conscious, it would be more appropriate to offer reusable water bottles instead of single-use plastic bottles.

Avoid information overload

Getting a new job can be a little stressful. There are many new things that employees need to get used to, and too much information can overwhelm them and take a toll on their mental health. 

Being mindful of this process is essential for a successful employee orientation program. A good idea would be to provide resources they can access later, such as videos where they can learn more about the company. 

It’s important to remember that this may be their first experience with your company and believe it or not, first impressions matter. 

Therefore, remember that the goal of orientation isn’t just to show them the workspace or to teach them policies and procedures but also to make them feel part of the company’s mission.

Whether it’s an on-site or virtual orientation, above all create an engaging environment where team members feel supported as they learn their tasks and navigate their new work environment.

Now Over to You

A successful onboarding experience can lead to higher employee retention, benefiting both parties. And you only have one chance to get it right!

Remember, employee orientation is about who you are as a company, how new employees fit in, and why they matter – that’s why it’s important to make sure your employee orientation process template covers it all!

For more human resources terms, check out our HR glossary.