Once you’ve hired a new employee, there’s a lot of work to get them up to speed with the rest of the company. The training process is an important part of the employee lifecycle. An effective program will allow your new hire to make an impact as quickly as possible.
Preparation and in-person teaching are key elements of training, so use the following tips to help your new employees learn the ins-and-outs of your office.
Prepare for Your New Employee’s First Day – “You Never Get a Second Chance to Make a First Impression”
Your new employee is going to need to know a few things before they even walk through the door on their first day, including:
• When and where to arrive
• Where to park
• Whom to report to
• What is the appropriate dress code (seems simple to most, but proper communication can ease some stress)
You will also have some things to take care of internally, such as:
• Letting the rest of the staff know about the new employee, and when he or she is starting
• Getting the new hire’s work station, office materials, and other equipment ready
• Preparing their computer and telephone, where applicable
• Create an employee handbook, if one isn’t already in existence
Some of these details may have been covered during the interview process, but it’s always good to provide a detailed list just to make sure that the new hire’s first day starts off on a good note.
First-Day Fundamentals
Your new employee will be learning a lot on his or her first day, but it won’t necessarily be about job duties. The first day is an introduction of sorts – welcoming your newest staff member to the basics of your workplace. These include:
• A tour of the facilities, including their work space, lunchroom, and bathroom
• An introduction to everyone the new employee will work with and other key staff members
• A brief explanation of the employee handbook
• An explanation of work hours and breaks
• A rundown on pay days, vacation time, and sick leave
• The company policy on dress code and grooming
• Any other company policies that every employee should follow
Your new employees will also have to fill out all of the necessary paperwork to get them started. They’ll need to sign up for payroll and company benefits, while making sure that all of the required tax information is completed.
Job Training
Once all of the office basics have been taken care of, you still have to train your new employee about specific elements of their job.
It’s important to create a training list that will cover everything your new employee needs to learn, from how to use specific tools or programs, to getting used to company systems or processes.
Patience is a Virtue
While it’s not always easy to do, it’s also important not to overload a new employee with too much information. In fact, it can take up to six months until a new employee reaches full productivity. There’s only so much a person can absorb in a short period of time, especially when you factor in the basics of the office.
Don’t be afraid to spread out training sessions instead of cramming everything in a span of a few days. In-person training and actual work exercises will also be helpful so that the new hire can ask questions throughout training.
Streamlining Your Training Process with GMS
A lot of time and effort goes into training new employees. GMS can help you through the process. GMS can assist with all phases of an employee on-boarding program.
Contact us today to see how partnering with a Professional Employer Organization can help you and your business with employee training and more.