“Employee orientation centres around and exists to help the individual employee, but it is the company that ultimately reaps the benefits of this practice.” (Michael Watkins, author of “The First 90 Days”)
Onboarding a new employee is always a delicate task. And it’s a whole lot trickier (and arguably more important) if your new hire is going to be working remotely. Here are our tips for getting your new remote employee – let’s call her Sharon – up-and-running with minimal fuss.
Plan ahead
Remote onboarding starts long before you click the link for your first online meeting. By the time Sharon’s first day at the company dawns, you should already have sent her a package containing everything she needs to do her job. This package might include a laptop, cell phone, webcam and headphones – all set up and ready to use with your chosen software. It’s also a nice idea to include a personalised welcome letter, a small gift like a coffee mug, and an employee handbook containing useful contacts and company procedures.
Go digital
It goes without saying that all your onboarding material now needs to be digital – both for you to use during online meetings and to send to Sharon for her own reference. If you have the resources, consider making each learning section into a small video, which you can put online (it doesn’t have to be Hollywood standard).
As your accountants, we can provide you with the information you need to create a digital FAQ on all matters regarding payment, taxes, bonuses and raises. You can also create a digital checklist for employees to complete that includes items like “Set up email address” and “Fill in medical aid details”.
Tell them a thousand times
The key to any successful onboarding is to make sure the important information has been properly understood. Don’t be afraid of telling Sharon something twice, or even ten times if that’s what it takes. If possible, assign her an experienced co-worker who can act as a buddy to answer questions in a friendly and accessible way. This is handy when she wants to know something simple and doesn’t want to bother you.
Show them around
Make sure you schedule at least one meeting for Sharon to meet her team. Everyone should be there to introduce themselves and give Sharon a friendly virtual tour of your office or facilities. This warm, face-to-face introduction will help her feel at home.
Encourage ongoing communication
Working remotely, it’s easy to forget there are others around you. In the first few weeks, schedule regular meetings with Sharon simply to see how she’s settling in. Ask her if she’s having any challenges and give her feedback on her progress. Addressing concerns and correcting errors early on will ensure they don’t become entrenched – but be careful not to dent Sharon’s confidence. You can also use her feedback to improve your own onboarding process.
We’re here to help
Onboarding a remote employee is usually a new experience, but that doesn’t mean it has to be difficult or ineffective. Follow these tips to make the process easier – and don’t forget to give us a call if you need any assistance with the financial part of the process.
Disclaimer: The information provided herein should not be used or relied on as professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your professional adviser for specific and detailed advice.
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