A Guide to Virtual Onboarding
Photo by Ivan Samkov from Pexels
Even in a post-coronavirus world, virtual onboarding will be a reality for many more companies. This is a positive. Getting all the paperwork done in advance of an employee’s first day allows them to integrate into the team faster and focus on the things they need to learn to be productive faster. Good for the employee; good for the company.
Here are six steps to help bring your new hire on board.
Keep the process human. Use video meetings to introduce new hires to their teams, the leaders, and other department employees. Do not use email!
Streamline paperwork and use electronic signatures so all compliance paperwork can be held virtually and completed before they start on day one.
Use snail mail. If you normally give new hires company branded or other materials, mail it to them. It will make them feel part of the team.
Integrate them into your culture. Set up an expectation and a time for new team members to meet. Think up things like a virtual happy hour.
Stay in touch. Set guidelines for how often managers should check-in and the method they will use. Don’t let new team members fall out of sight, out of mind.
Re-acclimate when the in-person time comes. Develop a program to help them know where to go for supplies, where you eat in the neighborhood, and other in-house needs they may have.
Don’t forget onboarding can be automated, whether it is virtual or on-site, and includes more than just signing paperwork. You need the human element in place to ensure you have a good culture.