Employee induction is a key part of the hiring process, but one that many business owners overlook.
A well-managed employee induction program can have many benefits for both employer and employee, including:
- Reducing the amount of time it takes employees to be effective in their role;
- Helping increase business stability;
- Reducing staff turnover;
- Increasing retention and engagement levels among employees.
What is employee induction?
Employee induction is a transition program for new employees, during which they are introduced to your business, culture, policies, systems, clients and customers.
What should be covered in an induction program?
An induction program should be tailored to your business, and for the specific job role, but generally it is a good idea to include:
- An overview of the business, including its goals and vision for the future.
- Explanation of the organisational structure of the business.
- Details about policies and communication channels.
- Layout of the office, including bathrooms and break rooms.
- Discussion of performance expectations and specific tasks that the employee will be expected to carry out in the normal course of their working day.
- Familiarisation with the company culture, behavioural standards and any unwritten rules which employees are expected to adhere to.
- Meetings with key internal and external stakeholders relevant to the new employee’s role.
- An overview of OHS requirements, such as evacuation and first aid procedures.
What are the benefits to implementing an employee induction program?
Having an induction program can help reduce stress for new employees, and give them a positive overall first impression of your business.
An induction program can also ensure that your business appears well organised, professional, and caring about employee welfare, which can instil confidence in new employees.
Giving your employees a clear understanding of what is expected of them from the start can help ensure there are no misunderstandings on either side, and help your new employees hit the ground running and do their job more effectively.
Helping your new employees adjust and feel more comfortable is also likely to increase the likelihood that they will remain with you for longer.
Employees who feel more engaged with your business are likely to develop more loyalty, which can not only lead to increased longevity in their employment, but also to greater discretionary effort on their part. On the other hand, if a new employee is not comfortable working for your business from the start, there is a higher chance they will leave within the first 12 months.
If you don’t currently have an employee induction program, or if you have one, but you haven’t reviewed it in a while, or are not following the one you have it is well worth considering doing so. More than just a formality, an employee induction program can have plenty of benefits for your new employees, and for your business.
