Inducting, or on-boarding, new employees into your business is an often rushed or completely forgotten process/notion, and yet it is the most important part of forming the employment relationship.  Your new starter is enthusiastic and ready to be engaged, after all he/she has chosen to join your company, and all they need are the tools to do the job. Joining a new company can be daunting, stressful and initially unproductive experience, so it makes sense to try and alleviate the new starter’s anxieties and get them up to speed as soon as possible. And an induction is the perfect opportunity for the company to give an insight into their culture, history and services.

If you are not convinced of the benefits; statistics show that up to 40%* of new recruits leave within the first six months of starting a new job. And the cost of a replacement, including fees and loss of productivity, can be up to *£30,000! After all your hard work recruiting the ideal candidate, the last thing you want them to do is leave.

First impressions count, so prepare for their arrival by sending out useful information about the company, plan their induction and set up their work space.

A good induction should involve the new employee’s line manager who outlines the job role and requirements, how their role fits into the team and company as a whole. Ideally they should diarise follow up meetings with their new team member. Include an orientation tour, introductions to colleagues, managers and key senior employees. Provide practical information such as office opening hour’s and how to contact IT. Don’t forget the all-important Health and Safety information, as this is a legal requirement.
 

Try not to make the first day overwhelming by bombarding them with information, and ensure they are not left alone for extended periods. Consider allocating them a ‘buddy’ or mentor who they can go to with any queries. Why not stand out from the crowd and buy them a small gift, such as flowers or a brand goodie bag, creating a positive feeling in connection to your company. The kind of start they get off to is crucial to shaping their attitude to the company and their job, so planning an induction will be more than worth the effort involved.

*ACAS - Oxford Economics
* Work -force insights arm of credit-reporting agency Equifax 2013