A growing number of companies allow employees to work from home full time. While this has benefits for both employers and employees, it does present quite a few challenges for human resources departments during the onboarding process. Without face-to-face interactions with coworkers or HR reps, new folks can have a difficult time adjusting to their new company.
Keep reading to learn a few helpful pointers for onboarding remote employees:
- Appoint an informal mentor: Traditionally, someone was always around the office who could answer questions all new employees have, but that’s obviously not possible when someone’s working from home. You can help your new worker succeed by designating a team member to answer all of their questions as they arise throughout the first few weeks or months on the job.
- Create a connection before day one: Reach out to your new employee as soon as they accept their job offer to make them feel welcome. This can be as simple as sending the new employee a care package filled with your company’s products or even a company T-shirt.
- Set up technology before the start date: Along with that care package, be sure to send your employee all of the technology they’ll need for their job. You’ll also need to have an IT person standing by to help show the employee how to use your company’s videoconferencing software.
- Assist with HR paperwork: You’ll also want to have an HR person available to help fill out any necessary day-one paperwork. All of that paperwork can be confusing, and your new worker will appreciate any help they can get. This tip applies to onboarding remote employees or those working in the office.
- Help foster strong relationships: A new employee is more likely to succeed in their role if they have friends they can turn to at work. Since the daily chit-chat that occurs in the office isn’t a possibility for remote workers, coordinating virtual lunches or coffee breaks with new coworkers can go a long way in building those necessary relationships.
- Make unspoken assumptions explicit: Setting guidelines around the company’s tone, dress code, etiquette on video calls, messaging norms and working hours are some of our best employee-onboarding tips. This can normally be achieved organically when an employee works in an office, but if they’re fully remote, that’s not always possible. Take some time to explain all of these guidelines to ensure your new worker is on the same page with everyone else.
- Set clear expectations: Your new employee should know what’s expected of them throughout the first 30, 60 and 90 days of employment. Again, this is something that’s typically covered on the first day someone’s in the office, but the message may get lost when someone’s working remotely.
Trust us for your HR needs
If you need help with any HR duties or more employee-onboarding tips, reach out to our team at Windsor HR Services, Inc. Our efforts and experience help save your company time and money and ensure all employees get the tools they need to succeed in their new roles.