New Employee Orientation
Fitting In Session
As a new member of our family it is important to know exactly where are you standing, how our small society runs, why and where we are all going to. That is the way we hope a rookie gets to understand our values and general directions, thus, develops confidence in moving forward with us. We want to make sure that the process of adaptation will be as easy as possible for everyone.
In order to highlight the necessity of being on a same page during this informal meeting the Southwood HR manager will discuss the following topics with a new member of a crew: Southwood’s team vision and mission, our values and main goals for the current year.
Even though we value independent individuals, working in a team is unavoidable as well as necessary. We want the newcomer to get familiar with colleagues and navigate his/her mutually beneficial cooperation as soon as possible, which is why a detailed school organizational chart with all currently employed members, their photo and a short duties plus personal description will be shared.
Moreover, Southwood position duties expectations will be highlighted and explained. We support innovations; however, there are still some basic job performance standards that need to be kept. Along with the requirements we will slightly explain our career opportunities, since we want to make sure a newcomer is aware of our desire to help him/her grow and keep him/her on board. “Top performing new hires start with an amazing onboarding experience, and this experience can lead to longer term employee engagement and higher retention” (Bevegni, S.).
Please notice, that this is an open discussion. Questions any time are welcomed.
“Effective New hire onboarding has learning and training and employee engagement programs integrated into its structure. All new hires, fresh graduates and laterals need some form of training to help them assimilate into their job and start contributing at the earliest” (MindTickle!). During this meeting the new employee will be informed in details regarding school principles and policies, training programs, teachers’ syllabus and general deadlines.
Coffee – Snack Break
“At the end of the day, we want people to feel inspired, motivated, and curious, so we combine dropping company knowledge with collaborative activities” (Bevegni, S.), that is why a short informal introduction to the collectives’ inside traditions during a coffee break is considered as a must. During this meeting all free from classes teachers will be encouraged to welcome a new member while having a chat in a comfortable teachers’ resting room. Not only they will be sharing their experience, but a participation in team building will take place: first of all the HR manager will take a photo of a new employee, which will be placed on a board next to other teachers’ photos (doing so should develop a feeling of membership and being accepted); later all of the present employees will write their parting word or personal advices on a piece of paper and drop to the “thoughtful box”, which a newcomer will take with him/her.
Handling the keys
During this tour the school administrator will be responsible for making sure a newcomer is familiar with all his/her belongings and have an access to the necessary working materials. Starting from the assigned parking spot the new employee will be farther lead to his/her office/class, handled the keys from a personal locker, and explained the rules of major employees’ operating zones and their working hours.
The goal is to make sure a rookie has everything that may be needed in order to successfully start his/her first day at work. The perception of being welcomed and taken care of is the target, so that the individual is confident in his/her importance to the organization and being equal to other employees by obtaining the same rights and materials.
Legal agreement and inquiry
“Employee performance affects company performance” (Go2HR), which makes it important to state the schools’ morality, express clear expectations for employee’s behavior, highlight potential risks and points of conflict etc. It is necessary to assure employee’s acknowledgement of his/her rights and responsibilities, while working at Southwood school. Moreover, “there are several federal, provincial and municipal laws and statutes that relate specifically to employment and will be important.” A legal representative will explain all of the mentioned above aspects, as well as the required behavior in case of emergency, health hazards, etc. The employment contract will also be disclosed. After all of the issues are stated and questions are clarified the new employee will sign an official document that he/she has been informed about the legal terms and conditions of his/her employment and a job offer itself.
Lunch break
This is the time for lunch, conversations with other employees, perhaps, students. Placing a newcomer in main cafeteria should develop the perception of unity with the school. It is exactly the place where everybody meets at least once a day. The recruit will be invited to teachers’ table to share the meal together. During lunchtime a radio announcement about a new employee will be made in order to introduce this person to everyone: “the basic idea is to ensure that the new hires feel welcome and are prepared enough to make contributions at the earliest” (MindTickle!).
Financial inquiry
During the meeting with school accountant a new employee will be explained the basic salary issues like: payment days, payment options, taxation, employee bonuses, employee benefits, overtime payment specifications, vacation payments, insurance payments and terms, and fines distribution. A person will have an opportunity to choose his/her preferred payment method: signing a check, transferring to an existing bank account, release of a salary card. All the pros and cons of each method will be discussed. The accountant will also explain the probation period salary distribution.
Because of our clear understanding that the main motivational factor for getting a job is the financial issue, we want to answer all of the possible payment questions right away, so our new employee feels safe about tomorrow and can plan his/her future. It will be explained “that differences in wages when offers are being made are based on “the concept of skill, effort and responsibility, seniority systems where unions exist, merit systems and systems that measure earnings by quantity or quality of production” (Go2HR), thus we expect an employee to be motivated to develop his/her skills.
Short break
This time is given for the newcomer to think of something he/she may need, get distracted and reload his/her mind right before the last spurt of the day.
Technology set up
The Southwood IT department serves to provide teachers and students with an easy and fast communication channel, as well as to assure the access to the necessary working materials. Being in a net nowadays is one of the most important issues, since it economizes time and effort needed to resume any type of matter. Moreover, it is a convenient way to share the important information, set up a meeting, etc. We need our staff to be mobile and we value their mobility. That is why during this meeting employee will be provided with a personal account and email. All the necessary technological registrations will be completed. A short training on operating main tasks and accessing schools’ data base from school facility as well as from a PC will be arranged.
References
Southwood Primary School.
Retrieved from: http://www.southwoodprimary.co.uk/
(2016). What’s involved in HR legal issues. Go2HR.
Retrieved from: https://www.go2hr.ca/articles/what%E2%80%99s-involved-hr-legal-issues
Bevegni, S. (March 9, 2015). 7 elements of a good new hire orientation. LinkedIn: talent Blog. Retrieved from: https://business.linkedin.com/talent-solutions/blog/2015/03/7-elements-of-a-good-new-hire-orientation
(2014). New hire orientation ideas to employee engagement day 1. MindTickle!
Retrieved from: http://www.mindtickle.com/blog/new-hire-orientation-ideas-employee-engagement-beyond-day-1/
(2016). Legal issues you need to consider in your recruitment process. Go2HR.
Retrieved from: https://www.go2hr.ca/articles/legal-issues-you-need-consider-your-recruiting-process
