For most people, it’s overwhelming to start a new job. And, while it’s a good thing to see your company grow, you’ll need to train all of those new hires. 

This is where new hire orientation comes into play and helps with staff loyalty and productivity. 

But how exactly does it work? 

Discover what new employee orientation is and best practices on how to apply it successfully. 

What Is New Hire Orientation?

A good orientation program facilitates a smooth transition to the workplace, making employees aware of company policies and expectations, answering FAQs, and handling the new hire paperwork. 

Orientation is done onsite through presentations, while remote employees have virtual orientations using tools like Zoom. 

That sounds a lot like the onboarding process, doesn’t it?

Let’s see why that is by exploring the differences between onboarding and orientation.

The Difference Between New Employee Orientation & Onboarding

Many companies believe that if they have an onboarding process, they don’t need a formal employee orientation. 

This is a mistake that can impact employee turnover. 

Orientation means that the human resources department gives the new employee an office tour during their first day of work. Usually, orientation is part of the onboarding process. 

On the other hand, the employee onboarding process takes longer and is a strategic way to help new hires assume their role and become productive members of the company. 

Both are critical for introducing new employees to the work environment. 

To ensure that orientation doesn’t fall short, you need to know and follow a few best practices. 

6 New Hire Orientation Best Practices

New hire orientation plays a vital part in making employees feel comfortable and motivated in their new roles. That’s why getting it right is essential for building a lasting partnership and making a good first impression. 

Let’s take a quick look at the new hire orientation best practices:

A successful orientation program will help your company integrate new hires more quickly. 

Here are some tips for producing a stellar orientation experience. 

Tip #1: Introduce new employees to the company culture

Company culture is a set of shared values, attitudes, and behaviors that are present in a workspace. It determines how an employee’s experience aligns with the company’s mission. 

A great orientation session is the perfect chance to share your company’s cultural values. Make sure to include all essential information, from internal processes to health and safety policies. 

Tip #2: Explain responsibilities and roles

Every role has responsibilities that fit the position—and your employee should understand that. This will ensure your new hire will perform the job effectively.

Having clear responsibilities and roles can help your organization achieve set goals and employees can succeed in their new job.

Tip #3: Go over regulations and policies

Make sure to go over the company’s policies and regulations, such as dress code, employee conduct, or attendance. It helps set expectations and ensures the new hire is not confused about how your company works. 

For example, you could schedule a safety and health meeting, where a professional explains some very important safety rules they should keep in mind when at the office. 

Tip #4: Use visual content for engaging presentations

People are unique and they have different learning styles. A ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach will not work for everyone. 

Try to learn as much as possible about your new hire and tailor the orientation accordingly. Visual content is one of the most engaging ways to present information, so use that to your advantage. 

Some people will like to watch an onboarding video instead of listening to someone read words off a slide. Others prefer to read an employee handbook at their own pace, while some might even want to shadow a co-worker. 

Tip #5: Schedule meet-and-greet team calls

Meet-and-greet team calls are a great way to connect with the team and remote employees. A new hire’s first day can be stressful, so a warm welcome from the whole team can make the employee feel more comfortable.

Schedule frequent catch-up meetings to provide your new hire the opportunity to discuss ideas, to share their concerns, and build a stronger connection with the management and co-workers. 

Tip #6: Prepare branded welcome gifts

Thoughtful gifts can make a new employee feel welcome and sets the tone for a positive experience. Including a welcome kit as part of the orientation process means new hires are set up for success.

Companies should take care to buy quality products to include in their package to celebrate the employee’s new job effectively. 

With these best practices, you can ensure orientation will be a breeze.

The Benefits of Having an Employee Orientation Process in Place

Without good orientation, employees will feel uncomfortable in their new position and won’t reach their full potential. 

Here are the benefits of having a great employee orientation process: 

• Boosts employee retention: A lack of orientation will leave a new hire struggling to find a place among co-workers. Great orientation equals reduced turnover. 
• Builds better work relationships: Research from Gallup shows that engaged employees are the ones that forged strong connections with team members.
• Motivates new hires: A first day at a new job is scary, so if the management and co-workers show that they are engaged, it will make the new hire feel more motivated.  
• Helps you set expectations and goals: Orientation helps set expectations and shows the hire how to deliver on those expectations. 
• Improves collaboration: With stronger connections comes improved communication and collaboration. An effective orientation program lets new hires know who to talk to and share their ideas. 
• Increases productivity: Happier employees are more motivated and, in turn, more productive. 

Orientation is not an aspect of the hiring process to overlook—and you can see why. 

Over to You

There’s no denying that a good new employee orientation process will impact the overall success of your business. It’s an exciting opportunity for the growth of both the company and the new hire.  

Are you ready to create a memorable new hire orientation experience? 

Contact us now to get started on custom welcome kits that will leave a lasting impression!