Useful Tips for Onboarding New Remote Team members

Alas, onboarding was not a strong suit for most businesses before the pandemic, and it has become even more difficult now that everybody is operating remotely from home.

Fremont, CA: Research shows that immersing new employees in the company's culture increases retention by 82 percent and efficiency by more than 70 percent.

Alas, onboarding was not a strong suit for most businesses before the pandemic, and it has become even more difficult now that everybody is operating remotely from home.

Create Onboarding Structure

Think of remote onboarding as a business-level project. To make it a success, each new employee needs a customized plan that lays out expectations and achievements, feedback on progress, and a schedule of assimilation and online training exercises carried out by different team members during the first year. In other words, in order to build a sense of security and belonging, the strategy should eliminate uncertainty by pointing out what should happen and when.

'Preboard' New Recruits 

Don't take new employees for granted after they have accepted a bid. Keep them involved and feel like a valued part of the team before they start working with a remote, automated pre-boarding procedure. Otherwise, a near-term bid from a more admiring rival might be embraced.

For example, if you get the new hire "paperwork" and policy review phase-out of the way of ASAP, you can ship company-issued computers, displays, smartphones, and other devices to new hires before the first day.

It can be overwhelming to be the new kid on the block at work. Let new remote hires familiarize themselves with the processes, methodologies, designs and security practices by performing an orientation, exchanging rosters and org charts, and having access to internal communications resources, VPNs and project updates in advance.