Whether your staff has suddenly moved to remote work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic or you’ve always managed a remote team, getting new hires immediately engaged and ready to succeed is crucial. Without face-to-face contact, new employees can be at risk of feeling isolated and unprepared. Onboard and manage new hires remotely with these tips:
● Ensure They Have the Tools They Need
Determine what tools your new employees will need to attend online onboard and work remotely, and ensure they have what they need (and what they are responsible for getting on their own versus what the organization will provide) before their start date. Once they've accepted your job offer, give them documentation outlining what equipment (laptop with a webcam, for example) and supplies they will be expected to have. If they need to have access to a particular software, get the process started with your IT team well in advance of their start date.
● Clarify Communication Methods
Communication is crucial regarding remote work since you can't rely on being able to pop into employees' workspace to provide quick updates or to answer their questions. When you're onboarding new employees, clarify communication methods. Discuss what platforms to use to ask questions or provide updates (such as chat, email, or Slack), the preferred applications for sharing files, how team meetings will be conducted, etc.
● Acclimate Them to Company Culture
It's challenging for new hires to get a sense of company culture when working remotely, so utilize your onboarding process. Acclimate them to the company culture - provide official documentation (such as a handbook or mission statement), but go beyond that and be candid regarding your department's core values and purpose (i.e., why you all do what you do) and any other relevant information they need to know about "how things are done around here."
● Establish Clear Expectations
When new hires are working autonomously, establishing clear expectations is even more important than when you're in the office. Make sure you give your new employees specific performance standards and goals for everything from their tasks to how often you want to meet with them and get progress updates.
If you’re ready to bring on new employees, Nesco Resource can help. As a top nationwide staffing and employment agency, our team of recruiting specialists will work with you to match you with candidates who fit your unique needs. Contact us today to learn more.