Jacqueline McClure, Genesis Background Screening Services
When you hire a new employee do you expect them to just hit the deck running? Many companies do just that. With very little thought to the actual process of how challenging it is for a new employee to get acclimated, a lot of time will be wasted while they flail about trying to figure out how to get supplies, get their computer set up, who they need to connect with and how to get quickly engaged with their team.
The first day on the job will stick with your new employee – I don’t know about you, but I remember the first day of every job I’ve had – both good and bad. You want your new employee’s impression to be that they have made a great decision to work for your company and be excited to join your team.
You invested a lot of time and resources recruiting, interviewing and background checking your candidate. After all that, don’t risk losing their enthusiasm and productive attitude that good hires have at the start. What are some of the things you can do to create a great environment for your new hire?
A few days before the employee is to start, send an email that gives basic company information and an agenda that outlines what will be happening for the first 4 weeks of employment. Let them know they can call with any questions they may have prior to their start date.
On the first day, if at all possible, have the new employee’s work area set up with their computer ready to go, office supplies and the contact information they need to get started with their team. It’s a nice touch to have some sort of welcome gift to make them feel at home right away. A gift card for lunch at a nearby eatery, a company coffee mug or even a little sign inviting people to come in and say, “Hi” would help make someone new feel included into the group. A group email to your company that introduces the new employee will encourage staff to be friendly.
A common complaint from new hires is feeling like they are not “in the know” fast enough. Including them quickly into meetings and encouraging participation will be appreciated. Having a schedule of training will also help the new employee feel you are investing in them. Getting them up to speed quickly is in your best interest to facilitate their ability to be productive and become ambassadors for your brand.
So…the first 4 weeks went great. Don’t drop the ball now. At the one month mark is a good time to have a quick review to see how the employee is meeting their first set of goals. It’s also a good time to ask them for their feedback on your onboarding process. Even with a good system, you may get a great new idea from someone who just went through your process and knows what it feels like to be new in your company.
Partnering with a CRA (Consumer Reporting Agency) that has the services you need to fill in your HR gaps can be a very economical solution. The right partner can help you recruit, integrate your system, perform background screening, drug testing at convenient locations, and provide support throughout the process. Not only can you feel confident that you are bringing the best hire into your company, but you will know that you have done due diligence both legally and ethically for your employees and customers. In addition to accomplishing this at a price that fits your budget, a professional CRA partner pays for it self by avoiding costly hiring mistakes. For more information, contact Genesis Background Screening Services at 866 944-0041 ext 101, email getstarted@gbsspro.com or visit www.gbsspro.com
Genesis Background Screening is not a law firm and provides our blogs for informational purposes only. These blogs should not be considered as a substitute for experienced legal advice. Any laws or regulations mentioned in our blogs need to be researched by your company and any questions you have need to be answered by your legal counsel to be sure your organization is within the law and compliant with regulations.
