Staff inductions are not just the preserve of big businesses with massive HR Departments  Effective staff induction does not have to cost lots of money and last for days or even weeks.  This month’s HR advice sheet looks at the value of staff inductions for smaller and micro businesses and how to make them effective and cost efficient.

What is a Staff Induction?

A staff induction is about introducing your new employee into your company and explaining how your business operates.  You have gone to the trouble of recruiting someone, you have spent time energy and money advertising, short listing applicants and then interviewing them.  You have found the right person or people that really meet the job description and are the right fit for your organisation.

But they turn up on their first day and no one knows they are coming, where they will sit or what they will be doing.  Chances are they will probably be wondering if they have made the right choice and if they should come back tomorrow.  An effective induction should help them make sure they do and prevent the waste of all that energy resources and money.

A staff induction can be anything from sitting down with a new employee on their 1st day introducing them to the company and other staff members through to more detailed inductions covering all procedures, policies, departments, do’s and don’ts of the business.  There is not right or wrong way but the induction must meet the needs of your business and as a minimum cover any specific health & safety issues.

How Do I Do a Staff Induction?

The 1st thing to decide is what do you want to cover within your staff induction, this can vary between organisations but consideration should be given to the following;

• Have someone meet the new employee on their 1st day

• Make sure you have all the correct contact, payment and emergency details

• Make sure they have received and understand their job description, contract and other employment documentation

• Introduce them to other staff members

• Give them a tour of the building including emergency exits and toilets etc

• Explain the evacuation plan for the building

• Explain health & safety issues and rules

• Explain housekeeping rules

• Make sure you have arranged for their work equipment to be ready and any necessary passwords, personal protective equipment and uniforms have been obtained

What can really help is to put the key points of the induction into a form or a checklist so you can work through each point and not miss anything.  If you do use a checklist or a form, make sure you record the signatures of the person giving the induction and the new employee.

What Else?

A good induction helps to present your company in a professional way encouraging the new employee to adopt the values and attitude that you want to encourage.  By committing some time and energy on this process it also helps to ensure that key legal and health & safety issues are addressed protecting your business from potential future issues.