How HR Departments can Onboard New Hires in 2021 and Beyond

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Employee onboarding has always been a challenging task for human resources professionals. It can often be difficult to encounter a balance between efficiency and embracing a more personalized approach. This is even more relevant when we remember the fact that many businesses have now begun to adopt a hybrid work environment. If the appropriate strategies are not embraced, the onboarding process itself could come grinding to a halt. This is one of the reasons why a disturbing 29 percent of new hires stated that they did not feel adequately prepared for their upcoming roles.

However, several steps can be taken to ensure that new workers are provided with the best resources and guidance. Let us examine some professional suggestions as well as a handful of approaches that are specifically designed for a more dynamic hybrid environment.

Begin Before the Official Onboarding

It is quite easy for a new worker to feel overwhelmed during his or her first few days. This often results from staggering amounts of paperwork and similar documentation that can detract from the overall onboarding process. HR should therefore make it a point to take care of such issues at a very early stage.

For instance, contracts and non-disclosure agreements can be sent via email to the recipient. The employee can speak with different department heads to better appreciate what is in store. The main takeaway point here is that these preparatory steps will allow HR personnel to focus upon onboarding as opposed to other tasks.

Health, Safety, and Hygiene

It is important to mention that we are now living within a post-COVID world. Businesses have been forced to adapt to this sense of "new normal" and as a result, the onboarding process should include information about workplace health and hygiene. Here are some typical topics to discuss in detail:

Social distancing measures
The use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
Support systems in the event of an illness
On-site issues such as the presence of sanitizing stations protocols within common areas

Employees who are made aware of these concerns at an early stage will find it much easier to adapt to a new environment. This is also an excellent way to illustrate that the firm cares about the health of its workers.

A Focus Upon Paperless Onboarding

Digital resources should always be used when possible. There are many ways in which these can help to speed up the onboarding process as a whole. This is even more relevant when we consider the dynamics of a hybrid work atmosphere.

For example, it is now possible to hold virtual meetings with different department heads. New workers can be provided with access to remote VoIP systems as a means to communicate with peers. Webinars may also be used as orientation tools, saving time traveling to and from a physical office. Simply stated, a more automated approach to onboarding is now the wave of the future.

Reinforce Skill Sets Through Dedicated Training

Hybrid workplaces rely heavily upon digital technology. Cloud-based data storage, third-party pipeline management, and virtual CRM systems are common examples. The only issue here is that some new employees might not possess the proper level of expertise. This can cause the onboarding process to come to a grinding halt.

HR managers should make it a point to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of every employee. This is the best way to determine what type of training is required. Not only will adequate preparation improve such a transition, but workers can leverage these very same skills for the benefit of the entire organization.

Stress a Culture of Proactive Communication

Perhaps the most important step to improve the onboarding process is to encourage open channels of communication. Some employees will feel more confused and overwhelmed than others. Unfortunately, these very same individuals may be afraid to speak up if they feel that their issues will fall upon deaf ears.

HR professionals should make it clear that staff members are ready and willing to help in the event of a question or a problem. The same holds for other department heads and team leaders. Not only is this a great way to address a small issue before it becomes a serious concern, but new employees will appreciate such an open company culture.

Address Hybrid-Related Issues

Studies have shown that more than 30 percent of all professionals now work away from the office at least one day each week. Adapting to this new model can be tricky for those who have worked within more traditional settings. This is why HR should cover a handful of important topics including:

The use of personal devices for work-related purposes.
How many hours can be spent working outside of the office?
Who to contact if a question arises during a remote session.

As hybrid businesses are now the model of the future, it pays to keep new employees one step ahead of the curve.

Onboarding in 2021 and Beyond: The Human Factor

New employees should never feel as if they are mere statistics. HR will therefore need to embrace a more personalized approach during the initial onboarding. This is the best way to ensure higher levels of efficiency while keeping the concerns of the worker in mind at all times.

Finally, those who feel that they are an integral part of a company are much more likely to remain loyal over time. Not only is this a good business practice, but it makes a great deal of sense from an entirely human perspective.