Employee Orientation
I have had my share of poor employee orientations, everything from being forgotten (“oh you’re starting today?â€) to my new manager being out-of-town for the week that I was starting (‘here, why don’t you read these manuals until she returns.’) The impact that a well-planned orientation has on one’s employment experience is immeasurable.
Here is my story of the best orientation I have experienced:
The day after I accepted the position, a courier package arrived at my door. My new company had sent me their Handbook, marketing material, payroll and benefit forms – so I could review them and be well prepared for my first day. Enclosed in the package was also an organizational chart with my name on it!
On my first day, not only were they expecting me, there was there a name plate on my desk, my e-mail, office, filing cabinet AND phone were all set up. I had keys and a security pass assigned to me and the icing on the cake was the business cards waiting for me – with my name and new title on them!
I spent half the day with Human Resources where I was toured around, introduced to everyone and then sat down with HR to go through the company handbook and forms. I was provided the opportunity to ask any and all questions that I had about things so far. After lunch with my new team, the second half of the day I spent with my new boss. We went through the training schedule which had me meeting with all departments that I would be interacting with.
On my second day, imagine my surprise and delight when a huge bouquet of flowers arrived on my desk with a card signed by all senior management, welcoming me to the team!
In summary, I felt welcome from the very second that I accepted the position. Everything from the courier package of information to the flowers were well thought out and appreciated and showed me that everyone was anticipating my start at the new company. It made the employment relationship start off with them on the right foot and immediately helped me feel a part of the team.
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June
16 Dec 2008
I have worked at 10 out of 10 places that have left me standing in the middle of the room for everyone to see, yet no one saw me.
I vowed that I was never going to be like these people with an excuse for ignoring the “new” person, who now is going to take them “away” from the work they are ignoring anyway.
When someone is new I am the first to go say hello, and tell them what I do, what I can do for them, and take them for lunch.
Your video shook me up…because now I am going to forward this page to all the places I have worked that left me in a black hole.
THANK YOU! This is great, terrific, wonderful, beautiful.