Who is Responsible for Onboarding?
Each department needs to develop their own onboarding program. The onboarding process begins at the time of the job offer. The hiring manager needs to pre-plan for new employees prior to their start date, devise a training schedule for new employees and assign them a buddy.
While Human Resources plays a role in recruiting new employees and ensuring they have received all relevant benefit information and forms, the managers and supervisors of new employees should “own” the onboarding process. There are many reasons for this, including:
• Co-workers need to understand how important it is to get new team members engaged and performing successfully.
• Managers and supervisors are responsible for getting new employees “up to speed” at work, and they are the ones who will be negatively impacted if the onboarding is not done correctly.
The new employee’s manager, supervisor, co-workers, and buddy if assigned (i.e. someone to help answer general questions about the workplace) are the ones who can most effectively listen to and understand what the new employee needs in order to succeed. Departments may decide it is beneficial to include hands-on training, rotation, or job shadowing as part of the onboarding process.
Objectives of Onboarding
According to research conducted by the Corporate Leadership Council, it is critical for new employees to:
• Acclimate to the environment
• Assimilate into work group
• Affiliate with colleagues
• Foster a sense or purpose and belonging
• Socialize with others in department including those outside the work unit
• Transition into the organization
Advantages to Onboarding from Belmont’s Perspective
• Promote Belmont as employer of choice
• Reduce misinformation or lack of information
• Enhance communication with employees about what is expected
• Reduce questions and mistakes by sharing information at the start of employment
• Reduce turnover – if people are confused or undervalued they may chose to leave