For instance, according to Mcgillicuddy (1998), "A successful new employee orientation serves not only to answer employees' fundamental questions about health insurance and other benefits, but also to begin the ongoing communications and training that helps employees succeed in their jobs" (p. 551). The intended outcomes of these programs, then, involves not only helping new hires in making the transition to the new organization but establishing a long-term relationship with them as well.
Approaches to Developing and Implementing NEO and On-Boarding Programs
One of the best approaches to developing and implementing these types of new employee orientation programs is to help new hires become self-directed in the process. Therefore, providing new employee with various resources and materials concerning the organization that can help them determine any other information they may require in order to make the orienting and socialization process more self-directed should be supplemented by the following actions on the part of the employer:
1. Identify employees who would benefit from a self-directed orientation. Employees who are not allowed much initiative in carrying out normal job responsibilities may not be good candidates for this type of orientation. The selection process may require the development of alternative materials for a self-directed new employee orientation, while keeping other more directed processes for employees who require closer supervision.
2. Identify what information is most appropriate to provide new hires prior to the first day of work. The more information that can be provided, the easier it will be for the new employee to take the initiative. Information concerning the organization and what it does will be helpful, along with other resources listed herein.
3. Prepare for new employees taking the initiative by conducting a series of planning activities prior to their first day; a number of such activities will provide new employees with the ability to "hit the ground running" and assume the initiative.
4. Determine what type of information is already available and what needs to be developed; in some cases, printed materials may already exist (i.e., annual reports, union contracts, company newsletters, benefit plan information, and employee handbooks). Other information may be available on the organization's intranet or web page. Information that changes periodically can be stored more easily in an electronic format; examples of this type of dynamic information are organization charts and the company's products or services. This allows the new employee access to correct information that is always up-to-date.
5. Provide materials (hard copy or electronic) and a guide for the new employee to access and use them. Make a list of questions for each resource so that the new employee can find value while exploring the resources that are provided. For example, when sending the employee handbook, prepare a list of questions about work practices and rules that can be looked up and answered in various parts of the handbook. When sending benefits information, provide a list of decisions to be made and the due date to file appropriate forms to announce the employee's choices for benefits.
6. Identify and list resource people and how to reach them. Tell how to reach the appropriate people by telephone...
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