By
February 03, 2021
Recruitment and hiring practices are changing as a result of COVID-19. One of the most notable changes? Remote working opportunities.
Flexible working arrangements have been becoming more and more popular, so it’s going to be advantageous for businesses to hang on to the new remote working practices they developed during lockdown. In order to accommodate this new way of working, it’ll be important for you to have a robust policy that includes guidelines on remote onboarding processes.
Virtual onboarding checklist
Onboarding a new employee is a crucial process - though it’s something that can be hard to get right even when done face to face. But when onboarding is done well, it can get an employee up to speed more quickly, improves retention and increases satisfaction. In short, this process can play an important part in defining a good and productive relationship between a new employee and your company.
Here are seven tips that will help you with your virtual onboarding process.
1. Create a business handbook
Before you even think about hiring, you it can be helpful to make a handbook or presentation explaining your business and its mission. In this presentation, you want to introduce your new hire to your ways of working. This might include your:
- Culture
- Value
- Mission
- Staff profiles
- Organisation chart
- And other key information about your business.
This information will give your new hire a deeper sense of your business so they can better connect from day one.
2. Give them the right technology
Once you have your new hire’s first day planned, make sure you hook them up with the technology they need for success. Will you be providing a computer, laptop or phone? Ship whatever they need plus set-up instructions so they’re ready to go. If you have any company swag, it’ll be a nice touch to send that over as well!
3. Schedule a morning meeting to introduce the team
Make sure you schedule a morning meeting on your new hire’s first day so they can get some immediate face-time with the team. Take the time to introduce the whole team and their roles. Doing this early in their first day sets the right tone and helps them feel part of the organisation.
4. Give them a buddy
Assigning a buddy to your newbie so they have someone to connect with will also help with an easier integration. This person will be responsible for checking in on them throughout the day, and will be available for any questions they have as they onboard.
5. Allow them to settle in
Give your new hire time to get used to your organisation and its processes. Setting them up with the employee handbook you created earlier will help. Have them review their job description and daily duties, give them time to finish any employment paperwork and let them have a look around your internal systems and tools.
6. Arrange a team lunch
Lunchtime is a great opportunity to bond. Invite the whole team to a video chat so your new hire can have a chat and get to know everyone on a more personal level. If you have the means, it would be a nice touch to arrange lunch for everyone.
7. Organise video training
Wrap the day up with a more formal training session. Now that they’ve had time to review the handbook and tools, they’ll be ready for a meeting to discuss things in greater detail. This is also a good opportunity to introduce them to any clients they’ll be working with, or explain how you’ll measure performance.
Whether you’re getting ready to onboard now, or in the future, we hope these tips help you make your remote working hires feel close to your business.