Good Induction Programs

It can often be at least one month from accepting a position until the employee starts work. A friendly welcoming letter closer to the start date, detailing what time to arrive, where to park, who to ask for, what to bring and what the employee can expect on their first day is a good way to help set the scene for working at a new organisation.

It always makes a good impression on an employee’s first day to find that their office space is nicely set out and that their computer, email and telephone are all organised. The new employee should be made to feel that they are a priority. Meetings with key staff members should be pre-organised and times kept to. Meetings should be spaced over a period of time to give the employee time to digest the information that they will be receiving from a variety of sources.

Elements of the induction program should include:

• Meetings with relevant staff, suppliers and customers
• Full health and safety briefing
• Outline of initial training organised for the employee
• What guidance the employee can expect during the first six months of employment
• Setting of initial performance goals
• Explanation of and access to the organisation’s policies and procedures
• Expectations on attendance and breaks
• Information on any employee benefits schemes.

Remember that induction is a process, not an event. It takes time for employees to integrate into their new working environment. A good induction process will ensure new employees adapt quickly to the organisation, feel they belong to the organisation, and that they have become productive contributors.