When it comes to bringing on new employees, most companies take the approach of ‘go big or go home’. They want to ensure that the new team members are a hit from the get-go and that there are no hiccups along the way. However, this isn’t always the case.
This article will discuss the three biggest mistakes companies make when onboarding new employees and how to avoid them. Hopefully, this will help make the process easier and less stressful for everyone involved! In fact, there are often three major mistakes companies make when onboarding new employees.
Hiring on a Contract Basis
One of the biggest mistakes companies make when onboarding new employees is hiring on a contract basis. This can be incredibly risky for both the company and the employee, as there’s no guarantee that either party will continue working together after the contract expires.
This type of arrangement also creates a lot of instability within an organization, which can lead to many problems down the road. To avoid this issue, companies should hire new employees on permanent contracts instead.
This will ensure everyone knows their job and career path is safe and that company morale is high.
Not Meeting New Employees on Their Competency Level
Another common mistake companies make when onboarding new employees are not meeting them on their competency level. This means that the new employee is constantly being given orders or tasks that are too high-level or difficult for them to complete.
Instead, companies should meet new employees at a level where they can understand and carry out the task(s) given to them. This will help foster cordial relations between both parties and improve productivity within the organization.
Choosing the Wrong Onboarding Software
Another big mistake companies make when onboarding new employees is choosing the wrong software. This can be problematic, as the software may not properly reflect the company’s culture or style.
Instead, companies should choose software that specifically addresses employee onboarding processes. This way, you can handle everything from initial training to productivity tracking in an organized and user-friendly manner.
Also, the HR onboarding software should be compatible with employee tracking software, so HR staff can monitor all new hires’ progress.
Not Planning for Transition Periods
Another common mistake companies make when onboarding new employees is not planning for transitional periods. This means that newly hired employees are thrown into the fire too quickly and don’t have time to adjust.
Instead, transitioning employees should be given a reasonable amount of time (e.g., two weeks) to get acquainted with their new environment and responsibilities.
This will help them feel more comfortable with their new job and boost productivity in the long run. Additionally, it’s important to ensure that the onboarding process is structured in a way that is easy to understand and follow. You can do this by using clear goals, timelines, and instructions.
Not tailoring the Process to Each Employee.
Another common mistake companies make when onboarding new employees is not tailoring the process to each individual. This means that some employees are subjected to more rigorous requirements than others, which can be confusing and overwhelming.
For example, one employee might need a lot of training before starting their workday, while another may be ready immediately. To ensure a smooth transition for everyone involved, it’s important to consider each employee’s specific needs and preferences.
Doing this will help create a welcoming environment that will encourage new arrivals to stay in your organization for the long term.
Not Following Up After New Hires
After a new hire has been officially welcomed into the company, it’s important to ensure they receive the support they need. This means following up with them regularly to check on their progress and provide any needed assistance.
However, don’t overdo it – too much pressure can lead to employees feeling overwhelmed and isolated. Instead, take things slowly and gradually increase your involvement as necessary.
Not Explicitly Encouraging Employees to Talk About Their Experience
Despite the importance of a positive onboarding experience, many companies neglect to explicitly encourage employees to talk about their experiences. This can be a missed opportunity for your company to build trust and strengthen relationships with new hires.
Instead, make it a priority to listen closely when new arrivals share their thoughts and feelings. Doing so will help you better understand their feelings and potentially eliminate any obstacles that may hinder their success at work.
Conclusion
As you can see from the mistakes above, many companies did a great job at onboarding their new employees. What they lacked was proper planning, which allowed them to lose out on good talent as well.
Therefore, before hiring any new employee, always ensure that you have everything covered, like how often you will hold career-orientation programs for the new member and what kind of training or development programs are in place for them.
Don’t ignore these mistakes again – and your company can finally focus on how to make them more successful!
