The Successful Orientation Practices
Program Titles
New Employee Orientation is more than a one-day event! How would you describe the quality and effectiveness of your organization’s new employee orientation program? In a recent survey, 25% of the companies with a formal program described it as poor or just adequate. The most common complaints heard about new employee orientation are that it is overwhelming — or just the opposite: nothing happens and the new employee is left alone to sink or swim.
“Successful new employee orientation is an enthusiastic welcome, full of variety and timely information.” says Jean Barbazette, Assess, Plan, Conduct and Evaluate Your Program. Too many programs, she contends, dedicate only one day to orientation — a combination of filling out forms and a tour of the facility.
“Orientation needs to be a process, not a one-day event,” says Barbazette. “An orientation occurs whether an organization plans for it or not.” The results of an unplanned orientation is often a confused new employee who is not very productive, will probably make mistakes, and is likely to leave the organization within a year.
In Jean’s newest work, she explains how to analyze your current program and offers direction on improvement. Most new employee orientation programs are designed to accomplish some common objectives:
Provide critical information and resources in a timely manner
Help make the new employee independently productive as soon as possible
Teach essential safety and job skills
Truly welcome the employee
Help the new employee feel secure and get off to a good start by understanding the organization’s culture
Through a series of checklists and forms, Successful New Employee Orientation serves as a guide to selecting the type of orientation that’s right for your organization. The Successful Orientation Practices Survey aids in analyzing the current program and highlighting areas that need enhancement.
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