Employee Orientation During employee orientation, new hires are introduced and welcomed.

The orientation is meant to educate new employees about the goals and responsibilities of the position and company, as well as to answer any questions they may have about HR, benefits and payroll information. Welcome On their first day, employees should be given a warm welcome in the form of a hearty introduction to bosses and coworkers. A welcome packet is usually also provided Tour of Facilities Employees are generally given a broad tour of the facilities. This tour will probably include the front office, HR, stairways and elevators, copy centers, restrooms, cafeteria and break areas. The new employee will also be directed to her new workspace. Policies The employee orientation includes a review of company policies and guidelines. Mission statements, ethics, working hours, dress codes, office equipment and organization, visitor policies, and telephone, Internet and e-mail use will also be discussed. Benefits Employee orientation templates includes an overview of benefits such as pay, health benefits, holidays and time off, overtime, payroll, and leaves of absence procedures. Wrapping Up HR-related questions or questions regarding specific job responsibilities should be allowed at this point. HR or whomever is administrating the orientation should provide the new employee with a person to contact with additional inquiries.

Components of an Effective Employee Orientation Program An effective employee orientation helps to welcome new employees and communicate the policies within the organization. Organizations that use an employee orientation program may find workers are better informed and more clearly understand what is expected when working in the company. The human resources department can add components to the orientation program to make it more interesting and memorable to the new worker.

Information Packets The orientation should include an information packet that contains all of the information covered during the presentation. The information packet provides reference materials for the employee to explore in depth after the orientation. Include information about insurance, retirement plans, time-off policies, dress codes, time clock procedures, call-in procedures, employee evaluations and other benefits of working for the company. The information may also include a history of the company and the products it makes or services it provides. Sample Products In some companies, providing a new hire with a sample of the company product is a good way to familiarize the worker with the company's line of business. Companies that are unable to provide a sample of the product may provide the new hires with promotional materials such as key chains, lunch bags and other items with the company logo. This can encourage a sense of pride in working for the business, which may translate to company loyalty. Employee Interaction Long employee orientation programs can be difficult for new employees to get through. The human resources representative should plan for breaks in the presentation to keep the workers interested. Introductions among the group or snack breaks are a good way to revive lagging interest. Speakers The employee orientation program can include representatives from various departments in the organization. This can provide some valuable information to the new hires on company departments and how work flows through the organization. The human resources representative can bring in a speaker from the production, marketing, sales, accounting and materials departments to explain briefly how the department contributes to the company. After the presentations, new hires can be introduced to key employees Implications of Using a New-Employee Orientation Employee orientation is one of the most effective tools an organization can use to engage new employees. The benefits outweigh the time and expenses associated with developing the curriculum and the staff time for human resources training and development specialists. Sense of Belonging

Employee orientation can create a sense of belonging for new workers. Welcoming employees to the organization is the first step in forging a solid employer-employee relationship. Employees who attend an orientation also can build friendships and friendly working relationships with coworkers because they share the common bond of starting to work at the same time. Two or more employees who attend orientation on the same day might be assigned work in different departments, but they share similar experiences based on being in the same orientation session and learning about their employer at a similar pace. Lower Incidence of Employee Dissatisfaction Workplace policies generally are contained in the employee handbooks, but many orientation workshops provide a page-by-page review of the company's guidelines and the handbook. Orientation trainers ensure employees understand workplace policies by giving examples of actions and behavior deemed acceptable and unacceptable. Teaching new employees the importance of company guidelines early can reduce future problems such as workplace policy violations, poor performance, low morale and overall dissatisfaction. In fact, Sally M. Kaiser, author of "An Examination of New Employee Orientation and Training Programs in Relation to Employee Retention Rates" cites research that indicates: "[F]ormal orientation programs are essential in retaining and motivating employees, lowering turnover, increasing productivity, improving employee morale, facilitating learning, and reducing the anxiety of new employees." When employees are aware of applicable policies and work rules, and when they acknowledge receipt of them, it can minimize the chances an employee will engage in poor workplace behavior. Protects Company's Interests An orientation workshop supports the company's goal of protecting its interests. Most orientation programs contain a segment that addresses equal opportunity laws and the employer's commitment to fair employment practices. Once employers explain nondiscrimination laws and policies that prohibit workplace harassment, they've done what the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission strongly recommends as a preventive measure for ensuring a safe work environment that's free from discrimination and harassment. The commission advocates employer training and states: "Preventing employment discrimination from occurring in the workplace in the first place is preferable to remedying the consequences of discrimination." Employers who become embroiled in employee discrimination lawsuits have difficulty justifying certain employment actions and practices if they haven't taken the time to educate new employees on equal opportunity and fair treatment in the workplace.

Productivity

New-employee orientation can take one to two days to complete, depending on the number of new workers in each class and the amount of material covered. However, after that point, employees are ready to assume their job duties. This saves time and enhances productivity -- managers can focus on providing direction on specific job tasks and responsibilities rather than answering questions on topics that are more appropriately addressed in orientation. Employees who gain a clear understanding of their employer's philosophy, mission and workplace guidelines are usually more confident about their roles and can jump right into the job they were hired to perform. New-employee orientation provides employees with the fundamentals to be successful employees.