Onboarding a new employee is challenging. Onboarding a remote employee, even more so. With the rise of remote work, it’s essential to have a solid onboarding process in place to ensure new hires feel welcome, equipped, and ready to work. Here are some tips for onboarding remote employees:
Communicate Clearly
Communication is key when it comes to remote work. Make sure you have clear communication channels in place with easy access to the right people. Then ensure you provide the new hire with all the information they need to get started.
Set expectations
Establish clear expectations for the role along with the employee’s responsibilities. Be sure to communicate what you envision in terms of work hours, deadlines, who they answer to, and what resources are at hand.
Providing tools of the trade
Ensure that the new hire has all the necessary equipment to do their job effectively. This includes access to the company’s tools, hardware, and software. Odds are, new credentials will have to be established and kept safe, make sure you have a process in place to make that happen.
Orientation Day
Conducting a virtual orientation is essential to ensure new employees feel connected. It gives them insights into the company culture and their team. This is a good time to provide an overview of the company’s history, values, and mission.
Assign a Mentor
Assigning a mentor can be beneficial for remote employees. The onboarding process can often become overwhelming without a guide. A mentor can answer questions, and offer support to the new hire. Bonus points if they are outside their direct chain of command.
Regular Check-ins
A seemingly small thing that can make a big difference. Scheduling regular check-ins with the new hire helps ensure they are adjusting to their new role and have all the support they need. These moments can also create a feedback loop with the new employee, which could lead to better onboarding down the line.
Keep it social
We are tribe animals at our core. We need others to support us, help us and push us to grow. Encourage social interaction between the new hire and their team members. Some options here are virtual team-building activities, virtual lunches, or informal chat channels.
Welcome Package & Training
Sending a welcome package to the new hire can help them feel appreciated and valued. This can include company swag, a handwritten note, or a gift card. Then keep things rolling with training. This helps them become familiar with the company’s processes, tools, and procedures. Options to consider include online training modules, video tutorials, or one-on-one sessions with a manager.
Positive Company Culture
Remote work can feel isolating, so it’s essential to foster a positive culture. This can include setting team goals, open lines of communication, celebrating milestones, and creating opportunities for team members to connect.
Beyond the onboarding
After the onboarding process is complete, continue to follow up with the new hire to ensure they are integrating well into their role and the company culture. A solid 30/60/90 day plan can be a great tool here.
If you need help onboarding your remote team, book a consultation with us. We can help you develop an effective onboarding process that will set your team up for success. Just reach out.
