There is no doubt recruiters have adapted well to the challenges of hiring in a pandemic. However, if you are hiring someone who will be working from home for the foreseeable future how do you successfully remotely onboard your new starter?
Here are 5 remote onboarding tips to help you smoothly introduce your new starter to their new role, their teammates, and your business.
1. Get set up early
Ahead of their first day send them any technical equipment they need for their job – laptop, mobile, headset etc along with clear setup instructions, and a contact for a member of your IT team. Ideally, your new start will be set up ahead of their first day, or perhaps their first official workday will be allocated to setting up their workspace. Either way just be clear about your expectations.
2. Send a welcome pack
As well as the “hard” technical kit also send a welcome pack. This could include items such as branded pens, notebook, sweatshirts, t-shirts or water bottles. You might not be together in an office, but your new hire is joining your team so give them a sense of your company culture. Provide information about how to access any benefits, schemes, or social groups specific to your business.
3. Provide a first day schedule
Once your new starter is set up then new starter’s first day can all be about getting to know their colleagues. They can meet other members of their team and gain an understanding of what is expected of them and how they can work together. It can help if you set up a fixed schedule with time slots booked in.
Suggested First Day Schedule
09:30 – 10:30 Welcome call with direct report manager
10:30 – 11:00 Team call introduction to the team
11:00 – 1300 Work
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch
14:00 – 15:30 Individual calls with team members
15:30 – 16:30 Work
16:30 – 17:00 Debrief call with direct report manager.
4. Assign a buddy/mentor
While it is helpful for your new starter to have a series of calls with his colleagues, it can be a good idea to assign a buddy or mentor to regularly check in on the new starter, at least for the first few weeks. When the option of just “popping over to the desk” or “grabbing a coffee” isn’t available then setting a fixed time in the diary each day or each week for a catch up is a good idea.
5. Encourage team bonding
Not being able to turn to a colleague at the desk beside them means there’s more of a risk of your new starter feeling disconnected and isolated. For this reason, extra steps should be taken to communicate regularly with a new hire – particularly during the first days and weeks on the job. However, isolation is a hazard for all remote workers so there should be time for everyone on the team to have regular catch-ups together. It doesn’t have to be work-focused, an end of month quiz, online yoga classes or wellbeing talks can all help bring people together.
