What Is Onboarding?
Onboarding is the process of integrating new employees into an organization. It is designed to help new hires become familiar with the company's culture, values, and policies. The goal of onboarding is to make new employees feel welcome and comfortable in their new environment and to ensure that they have the necessary tools and resources to be successful in their new roles.
When is Onboarding Used?
Onboarding is typically used when a new employee is first hired by a company. It usually begins before the employee's first day of work and can continue for several weeks or even months. During this time, new hires will typically receive training on company policies and procedures, meet with key stakeholders, and learn about the company's culture and values.
So, let's take a look at the most essential points of onboarding.
Important Aspects of Onboarding
1- Providing Comprehensive Information
Providing comprehensive information includes information on the company's code of conduct, anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, and health and safety guidelines.
By providing new hires with this information, the company can ensure that they understand the expectations for their behavior and conduct within the organization.
2- Training on the Company's Systems and Tools
Learning how to use the company's software, email systems, and other technologies is one of the most important ways to increase an employee's cohesion and productivity.
By providing new hires with this training, the company can ensure that they have the skills and knowledge they need to perform their job effectively.
3- Mentorship and Coaching
This might include pairing new hires with experienced employees who can provide guidance and support as they navigate their new roles.
This can be especially helpful for new hires who are just starting their first job, as they can benefit from the wisdom and experience of more seasoned employees.
Overall, having a great onboarding experience is a comprehensive process that is designed to help new hires become integrated into the company culture and to ensure that they have the skills, knowledge, and experience they need to perform their job effectively.
An Example of Onboarding:
A new employee at a retail company might go through an onboarding process that includes a store tour, meetings with key stakeholders, and training on company policies and procedures.
The employee might also be paired with a mentor or "buddy" to help them navigate their new role and answer any questions they may have.
Onboarding can also include other activities such as paperwork, background checks, and security clearance processes.
Overall, onboarding is a comprehensive process that is designed to help new hires become integrated into the company culture and to ensure that they have the skills and knowledge they need to perform their job effectively.
What Is Orientation?
Orientation is the process of providing new employees with basic information about the company and its role. It is typically a one-time event that takes place on the employee's first day of work. The goal of orientation is to provide new hires with the information they need to be successful in their new roles, such as company policies and procedures, benefits, and expectations for their job.
When is Orientation Used?
Orientation is typically used on an employee's first day of work.
During this time, the employee will learn about the company's policies and procedures, benefits, and expectations for their job. Orientation is usually a one-time event and is meant to provide new hires with the information they need to start their new role.
Critical Components of Orientation
1- Benefits and Perks
Company benefits and perks are of utmost importance during orientation as they provide a great way to show appreciation for employees' hard work and create an atmosphere of motivation and morale.
During the orientation process, employers should take time to inform employees about their benefits packages - such as pension plans, health insurance, vacation time and other forms of reimbursement - in order to ensure that they are aware of their options and the resources available to them.
Additionally, providing employees with a clear understanding of company policies related to attendance, overtime, and other matters can help employers avoid misunderstandings down the road.
2- Policies and Procedures
Company policies and procedures are important because they provide a framework for decision-making and ensure consistency in how tasks are performed.
They also help to protect the company from legal risks and provide guidance for employees on appropriate behavior and conduct.
Additionally, policies and procedures can promote positive company culture and improve communication and accountability within the organization.
3- Values and Culture
This can help new hires understand the company's values and culture and how they fit into the organization.
Additionally, a company can use orientation as an opportunity to promote the company's culture and values and encourage the new employee to adopt these values and align with the culture.
An Example of Orientation:
A new employee at a technology company might attend an orientation on their first day of work.
During this time, they would learn about the company's policies and procedures, benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and expectations for their role as a software developer. The employee would also meet with their manager and other key stakeholders to learn more about the company culture and values.
Overall, orientation is a one-time event that is designed to provide new hires with the information they need to start their new role and understand the company's policies, benefits, and culture.
What Exactly Is Training?
Training refers to the process of teaching new employees the skills they need to perform their job. It is designed to ensure that new hires have the knowledge and abilities required to be successful in their new role. Training can take many forms, such as classroom-style instruction, online courses, or on-the-job training.
In addition to providing new hires with the skills and knowledge they need to perform their job, training can also be used to promote professional development and career advancement within the company.
By providing employees with training opportunities, the company can invest in their employees' development and help them grow in their careers.
Furthermore, training can also be used to promote compliance with laws and regulations.
This is particularly important for companies that operate in industries that are subject to strict regulations such as healthcare, finance, and transportation. By providing employees with training on relevant laws and regulations, the company can ensure that they are compliant and mitigate potential risks.
When to Use Training?
Training is typically used after an employee has been hired and has gone through onboarding and orientation.
It is meant to provide new hires with the knowledge and abilities they need to perform their job effectively. Training can take place at any point during an employee's tenure with a company and may be required for employees to learn new skills or to maintain their current ones.
An Example of Training:
A new customer service representative at a call center might go through training to learn about the company's products and services, as well as the procedures for handling customer complaints and inquiries.
This training might include a combination of classroom-style instruction, online courses, and on-the-job training, where the employee would practice handling mock customer calls under the supervision of a trainer or mentor.
In Summary
Onboarding, training, and orientation are 3 distinct processes that are often used to bring new employees into an organization.
Onboarding is designed to integrate new hires into the company's culture and values, while orientation provides them with basic information about the company and its role.
Training, on the other hand, focuses on providing new hires with the knowledge and skills they need to perform their job effectively.
While these processes may overlap and happen simultaneously, it is important for companies to understand the distinct goals and objectives of each process and to use them appropriately to ensure the success of new hires.
Lastly, don’t forget to check out our article, ways to Improve a User Onboarding - 14 best practices.
