Welcome! (To your own home office)

035 - onboarding

Creating an onboarding plan helps remote employees feel welcomed and prepared from day one.

Prepare before your new starter arrives

Start by defining clear objectives for what you want to achieve during the onboarding process. These objectives should align with both the company’s goals and the employee’s role-specific needs.

Develop a structured schedule that outlines the onboarding activities and timelines. This schedule should include everything from introductory meetings to training sessions and check-ins. Assigning mentors or buddies to new employees can provide them with a point of contact for questions and guidance, helping them integrate more smoothly into the company.

Introduce company culture

Begin by sharing the company's mission and values to give new hires a clear understanding of what the organisation stands for and to foster a sense of belonging.

Organise virtual team-building activities to create opportunities for new employees to interact with their colleagues in a relaxed setting. Encourage participation in company-wide events, whether they are virtual happy hours, online games, or webinars. These activities can help your new starter build relationships outside their immediate team.

Set them up with everything they need

Ensure they have all the essential tools and software they need to perform their duties effectively. Offer detailed guides and tutorials to help them get up to speed with these tools. Provide a list of it support contacts so that they know who to reach out to in case of technical issues. This proactive approach helps to minimise disruptions and allows new hires to focus on their tasks.

Create opportunities to build relationships

Building strong relationships is key to a successful remote working environment. Facilitate regular check-ins with team members to monitor progress and address any concerns. These check-ins can also provide an opportunity for feedback and support. Promote cross-departmental collaborations to encourage a broader understanding of the company and its operations.

Provide continuous support

Help remote employees continue to grow and develop in their roles. Implement ongoing training programs to keep their skills updated and relevant. Set up feedback loops that allow for continuous improvement of the onboarding process. Encourage new hires to share their experiences and suggestions. Maintain open communication channels to ensure that employees feel supported and valued throughout their tenure with the company.

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