As more offices adopt a hybrid workplace model, distance may no longer be a consideration in recruiting qualified talent for your organization. It can be an obstacle, however, when a new employee joins your team and the onboarding experience becomes a virtual welcome into the company.
Here are three steps that will help integrate new employees and ease them into your team, even if it’s from behind a screen.
Prepare for their arrival
Once they’ve accepted an offer of employment, begin the process of easing them into their role.
- Skip the paper folder and send them a digital welcome kit that introduces them to the company, familiarizes them with the mission and values of the organization, and prepares them for the tasks they’ll be handling on their first day.
- Have this material ready for them before their first day and ensure they’ve been given any access rights they’ll need to begin working remotely.
- Coordinate with your organization’s IT department to have someone available should your new employee run into any issues.
Limit the amount of information you provide so your new employee isn’t overwhelmed before they’ve even begun!
Make a good first impression
- Welcome your new employees personally on their first morning—show them they’re a valued member of your team!
- Your new employee won’t have the opportunity to do a walk around the office, so schedule them in meetings with smaller groups of colleagues they’ll be working with most often. It’ll be less intimidating than throwing them into larger team meetings and provide them a better opportunity to connect with others.
- Make yourself available to answer any questions and provide them with documents or tools they’ll need for their day-to-day role.
- Ask one of your existing team members to be their designated guide around the virtual office.
- After you’ve given your new employee a few hours to make themselves comfortable and connected, contact them by phone or video chat to see how they’re settling in. Facial expressions and tone of voice will be a much better indicator of how their day is going than an email or chat message.
Establish a solid base from the start
- Your remote employees will be better adjusted to their new roles if they’re able to convey their expectations and priorities. Stay in touch and ask them!
- Establish the roles and responsibilities of everyone on your team—not just the newest members. Eliminating uncertainty around duties will boost morale and keep everyone focused.
- Give your new employees a 360° view of the organization. Discuss the internal culture, current projects, challenges, and success stories of the company.
- Arrange for your new employee to meet with key figures in the organization. Your goal is to allow them to form an overall view of the business and understand how their role will contribute to the operation and successes of the organization.
A smooth integration starts with preparation and a winning attitude
Have you taken all the steps to guarantee a smooth integration for your new remote employee? Keep stacking the odds in your favour!
- Practice patience. Welcoming a new member to your team can be challenging in a traditional office environment and even more so in a hybrid workplace. Provide your new employees with time to adapt to their new role and set production expectations that are realistic. It may be a while before they can match the performance levels of your longer-tenured employees.
- If new employees have opportunities to collaborate with their colleagues, they’ll become part of the problem-solving process and form new ties with other team members. Get them involved!
- Celebrate their achievements often, even if it means a virtual meeting to throw the confetti. Promoting a positive workplace will build team spirit and not only will your new employees find a smoother path to integration, they also hopefully want to become a long-term team member.
Good luck and remember to unmute your mic before you give them a big welcome!
