For any business, big or small, it takes a considerable amount of time and energy to hire the right people. And then there’s all of that paperwork to get them onboard and ready to go. Yet, within the first six months of employment, half of new hires will quit or be fired.
A lot of this can be attributed to your hiring practices. These fail to weed out the bad candidates because the interview process is not a good predictor for job performance. Unfortunately, intuition leads the hiring process which prevents decisions based on data.
Mismanagement of New Hires
A new employee needs to be brought up to speed on how things are done and the right way to do them. This requires a lot of direct management, which means you need to spend more time with them than your other employees. But, who has the time to do that? Some of the things causing turnover can be found in how you manage new hires.
If you’re experiencing high turnover, now is the time to examine what you’re doing and incorporate the following best practices for employee onboarding to reduce it.
1. Checklists
You probably have a checklist for all of that new-hire paperwork. Do you have one for their training? A checklist can transform the process of getting them acclimated to their new position while making it significantly less overwhelming. Plus, you and your new hire won’t skip any important steps.
2. Communication
The key to building stronger relationships is through communication. You need to express your ideas and be more open about your expectations with new employees, as well as hearing about theirs. They will also learn about the culture you want to foster and how your customers are drawn to it. Strong lines of communication lead to quicker problem solving and fewer mistakes.
3. Shadowing
This is a great concept where the new hire learns from your more experienced employees. But, have you ever thought of having them shadow you? Well, you should. There’s no better way to show them the entire business than a couple days of working with you. It gives them a global view and better understanding of what they need to do every day to be successful.
4. Consistency
Each new hire should get the same introduction to your business. Being consistent means that you have a process in place and want them to be successful at what they do. This also allows you to see how they are adjusting to their new role.
5. Training
In order for your new employees to be successful, they need to perform their tasks properly and in a timely manner. If they don’t receive the proper training, then they will have to improvise and find workarounds, which leads to mistakes and poor performance. Cross-training is a great way to show them other roles in the company. It gives them a greater sense of opportunity, instead of looking for it elsewhere.
6. Frequent Check-Ins
When you check in with your new hires, you’re able to quickly address any questions or concerns they may have. You’re opening a dialog to clarify anything that might be confusing or overwhelming for them. This is a great way to show that you care about them.
Follow The Plan
By having a plan in place, you show them that you care. Remember, this is part of their first impression of your business, so make it count. And, because your business is always evolving, your new-hire onboarding process will need to change over time and be improved upon, if needed.
Within their first days of working for you, you’ll also show your new hires that you are professional and business oriented. This doesn’t mean that you don’t have fun, but it does emphasize your commitment to your customers.