Remote work is becoming the norm for many employees and companies. And when used properly, remote work offers advantages. For employees, remote work cuts down on commutes, and flexibility can make obtaining work-life balance easier. For employers, reducing spending on office space can boost the bottom line, and remote work can offer competitive advantages in the talent market, too, among other things.
Still, remote work does present some challenges, with effective onboarding being chief among them. That’s why we’re going to provide a checklist for the steps to onboard remote employees.
Remote Employees Onboarding Checklist 2022
Pre-Start Check List
Before your remote employee even gets started, you’ll want to make sure you’re ready to bring them on smoothly.
- The employee’s start date and time is confirmed and acknowledged by all relevant parties. Make sure mentors are included, too, if relevant.
- First-day expectations have already been made clear.
- Paperwork, such as tax forms, and vital info, like emergency contact info, has been sent both ways.
- The employee orientation plan, along with initial training and work assignments, are agreed upon with all relevant stakeholders.
- All the technology requirements, including hardware and software, are recognized and prepared.
- Access to communication channels and logins are prepared (including Slack, email, etc.).
The above first-day employee checklist isn’t exclusive, of course. Each organization will have individual needs.
Setting Up Remote Work State Technology
Remote work is tech-enabled. Put your new employees in a position to succeed by providing the tech and knowledge needed to get the job done.
- The laptop or desktop needed to complete work has been identified and allocated by the employer. If employees are providing computers, check for any compatibility issues.
- Accessories, such as power cords, mouse/input devices, keyboards and videoconferencing headphones are allocated.
- Internal network access as needed to perform and complete work is granted. Virtual Private Networks are set up, if applicable.
First Days Onboarding Checklist
First impressions count. This is true for both employees and employers during the first days of working together.
- Outline duties both of the job in general and also expectations through the first few weeks.
- Provide contact information for relevant experts for various issues, including human resources, direct supervisors, IT assistance, etc.
- Show employees how to access resources, such as IT troubleshooting, for self-serve help.
- Review benefits, including sick leave and paid time off.
- Provide simple initial assignments that are small and easy to double-check.
- Explain performance reviews and other important milestones.
Remote Employee Onboarding Post Joining
As folks settle into their roles, work often flows at a natural pace. Still, the onboarding process isn’t quite over.
- Companies should conduct regular one-on-one meetings to provide useful feedback and advice. Often, it’s best to start with informal performance reviews rather than formal ones.
- Meet with employee mentors and direct supervisors to discuss performance.
- Offer learning opportunities, such as online classes, to further skills.
- Conduct regular team conference calls with new employees included.
The above list is far from exclusive. Each company and employee will have different needs and will face different challenges. These days, roughly one-third of employees leave within the first six months. Early departures disrupt work and can quickly increase staffing costs. Effective steps to onboard remote employees may increase retention and reduce turnover.