It’s important for new employees to make a good first impression, but many companies don’t realize they also need to put their best foot forward, recent research from staffing firm OfficeTeam suggests. More than half (54 percent) of workers interviewed said they’ve experienced at least one mishap when starting a new job. For one-third (33 percent) of those surveyed, their computer, phone or security access wasn’t properly set up when they arrived. Another 22 percent said necessary supplies were not provided at the outset.
Despite these first-day troubles, however, most human resources (HR) managers give their companies high marks when it comes to bringing new employees into the fold: Half (50 percent) of those polled felt their organization’s onboarding process is very effective and 42 percent stated it’s somewhat effective.
Workers were asked, “Which of the following, if any, have you experienced when starting a new job?” Their responses (multiple responses permitted):
Technology (e.g., computer, phone, security access) wasn’t properly set up – 33%
Necessary supplies were not provided – 22%
Didn’t receive an overview of the company and policies – 16%
Didn’t get introduced to coworkers – 15%
Didn’t receive a tour of the office – 14%
I haven’t experienced any of these mishaps when starting a new job – 46%
HR managers were asked, “In your opinion, how effective is your company’s onboarding process for new employees?” Their responses:
Very effective – 50%
Somewhat effective – 42%
Not very effective – 6%
Not effective at all – 2%
“Many companies focus so much on information-sharing during an onboarding process that they may overlook basic practical needs, such as making sure that a workstation is up and running for the employee,” said Robert Hosking, executive director of OfficeTeam. “Every touchpoint during those first days adds to the new staff member’s perception of the organization, so the more you can do to ensure everything runs smoothly, the more positive that impression will be.”
OfficeTeam offers five tips for getting employees up to speed when starting a new job:
By Office Team
Source: PR Newswire
CEOs are spending more time on making the business case for their environmental and social commitments, and they’re building more rigorous mechanisms for addressing thorny issues and mitigating PR risks. To avoid communications missteps, CEOs should ensure they have the organizational capabilities and tools in place to monitor and analyze emerging issues and to gauge the sentiment of key stakeholders.
The vast majority of business leaders responding to a recent survey said they’re concerned they can’t train employees quickly enough to keep up with AI and tech developments in the next three years. A similar amount said AI and other tech disruptions will require companies to rethink skills, resources and new ways of doing work.
If you were to ask a random person on the street what an HR professional does, their answer would probably be conflict resolution, or that HR folks deal with employee salaries and benefits. And while that is part of an HR professional’s responsibilities — to ensure employee safety, respect and accountability — that doesn’t even scratch the surface.
