According to a report, employees working virtually are 35-40% more productive than in-office employees. Another report shows that the hybrid work model is expected to grow from 42% in 2021 to 81% in 2024. The rise in hybrid work means companies have to arrange onboarding for remote workers as well.
How to prepare for remote onboarding? Read this article to find out a few tips to develop a successful.
How is onboarding for remote workers different?
A good onboarding programme mainly focuses on achieving two goals:
- To help the new hires understand the company culture and job roles quickly. This way, they can start contributing to their teams at the earliest.
- To build the foundation for a comfortable and satisfying experience for the employee in the organisation. This will improve the chances of employee retention.
The company’s onboarding process should be informative enough for employees to quickly transition into their job roles. To begin with, it should extend a personal welcome. The new hires should feel comfortable and supported while navigating the new culture.
This isn’t an easy task, especially when the employers cannot meet them in person. Yes, onboarding with the help of online tools can make the process a lot easier. However, an onboarding experience without some human interaction has its own challenges.
For instance, employees working remotely will be unsure of where to find help to get started. That’s why transferring training documents online isn’t enough. It’s clear there won’t be anyone around to offer immediate answers. So, companies should anticipate some of their concerns and prepare solutions beforehand. These solutions should be incorporated into the programme so that they get the help they require.
6 tips to make remote onboarding successful
1. Provide a clear plan beforehand
Prepare a clear checklist and share it with them beforehand to avoid confusion. The plan should cover every detail from introduction and paperwork to training and meetings. Upload the necessary documents, guides and other materials. Also, include the links to all the meetings and training sessions. Providing all this information at the earliest will help them know what to expect.
2. Ship the tech in advance
Make sure the new hires have the tools required to begin their work. Prepare the equipment including computers and phones and ship them in advance. This way, they can dive into work from the first day.
3. Host virtual introduction
Arrange a meeting for the team and extend a warm welcome to the employee. Introduce all the members of the team as well. This will boost the employee’s enthusiasm and they will feel included. Prepare a list with the names, photographs, positions and contact details of all employees. Update the list regularly and circulate it within the group. It’s impossible for a new hire to remember all the names through one video call.
4. Make training engaging
Sitting and staring at the screen for long hours can be boring and exhausting. Use digital onboarding best practices to keep them interactive and hold the learner’s attention. Using a learning management system will ensure that they get effective training experience. It will also keep track of their progress.
5. Set up clear lines of communication
Give them a way to reach out if they have any unsolved issues. This can be through formal or informal communication channels. Formal communication includes setting regular meetings with leaders on online platforms like Zoom. Informal channels include reaching out through social media for explanations.
6. Collect feedback
Make a short survey for new hires. It is important for understanding their likes and dislikes regarding the company’s approach. Use this information to make improvements in the process.
The bottom line
Remote onboarding holds immense potential, but it requires more than just digitisation. Companies must actively analyse and address the unique challenges of remote onboarding. By redesigning the process to overcome these hurdles, they can unlock the full benefits of a successful remote onboarding experience.
Visit Imarticus Learning to know about digital onboarding best practices.
