Onboarding Buddy System
What
Is an Onboarding Buddy?
An onboarding buddy is a current
employee who serves as a new hire’s support system through
their onboarding experience. New employee onboarding buddies
can assist their new hires in acclimatising to the company and their specific
roles.
Incorporating an employee onboarding
buddy system can help new hires navigate their questions and concerns when
adjusting to their new work environment.
Benefits of Assigning New Employees a
Buddy
There are several benefits to
implementing a new employee onboarding buddy system, including:
· Providing context. New employees are not
familiar with the contextual surroundings of their work environment when they
join a company. Onboarding buddies can provide context regarding who the key
stakeholders are, how to navigate through the organization and approach
day-to-day responsibilities, what the unspoken company rules and policies are
and other information.
· Boosting productivity. Allowing new hires
collaborate on introductory-level tasks via the buddy system can help them feel
comfortable on the job and boost productivity early in their time with
the company.
· Improving new employee
satisfaction. Pairing a new hire with a current employee who has experienced
success in the role can help ease the new employee’s nerves, better train them
on their responsibilities and improve overall satisfaction in the role.
What Is an Employee
Satisfaction Rate?
Employee satisfaction is closely linked
with work satisfaction. If employee contentment is high, they are more likely
to be retained, work hard and contribute to a great corporate culture.
Employees have a higher chance of leaving a company early if their satisfaction
is low, as well as producing lower quality work and potentially adding negative
elements to your employee culture.
Why Is Employee
Satisfaction Rate Important?
Employee satisfaction is critical
because it has a direct influence on the health of your company. Here are just
a few of the areas that greatly benefit from high employee satisfaction, as
well as areas that can be harmed if employee contentment is low.
· Retention. Retained
employees will always be the bread and butter of every successful venture in
your business.. Everything stems from tenured employees, from higher
productivity, better in-house hires, greater overall quality, and increased
customer satisfaction. The benefits of retained employees outweigh everything
else in terms of importance.
· Productivity. Happier employees
produce better results, plain and simple. If your employees’ job satisfaction
is high, their productivity will follow.
· Future leaders. If you desire to
naturally groom top talent for executive positions, building upon loyalty that
comes from higher job satisfaction is a great place to start. Leaning into your
best people to execute on their leadership styles is far easier when they have
higher satisfaction at the base.
· Better in-house hires. Employees who enjoy
their jobs will respect their jobs, and when they refer friends or peers to be
a part of your business, you’ll be sure that they keep your standards in mind
when picking out additional talent. As a result, referral-based hires will be
more accurate and more reliable.
· Increased loyalty. Loyal employees will
always stick with your business through thick and thin, overproduce in the
hardest of times and overdeliver in the best of times. Loyalty isn’t easily
earned and it’s tough to lose when job satisfaction is at a max.
There are several benefits to
implementing a new employee onboarding buddy system, including:
· Providing context. New employees are not
familiar with the contextual surroundings of their work environment when they
join a company. Onboarding buddies can provide context regarding who the key
stakeholders are, how to navigate through the organization and approach
day-to-day responsibilities, what the unspoken company rules and policies are
and other information.
· Boosting productivity. Allowing new hires collaborate on introductory-level tasks via the buddy system can help them feel comfortable on the job and boost productivity early in their time with the company.
· Improving new employee
satisfaction. Pairing a new hire with a current employee who has experienced
success in the role can help ease the new employee’s nerves, better train them
on their responsibilities and improve overall satisfaction in the role.
What Is an Employee
Satisfaction Rate?
Employee satisfaction is closely linked
with work satisfaction. If employee contentment is high, they are more likely
to be retained, work hard and contribute to a great corporate culture.
Employees have a higher chance of leaving a company early if their satisfaction
is low, as well as producing lower quality work and potentially adding negative
elements to your employee culture.
Why Is Employee
Satisfaction Rate Important?
Employee satisfaction is critical
because it has a direct influence on the health of your company. Here are just
a few of the areas that greatly benefit from high employee satisfaction, as
well as areas that can be harmed if employee contentment is low.
· Retention. Retained
employees will always be the bread and butter of every successful venture in
your business.. Everything stems from tenured employees, from higher
productivity, better in-house hires, greater overall quality, and increased
customer satisfaction. The benefits of retained employees outweigh everything
else in terms of importance.
· Productivity. Happier employees
produce better results, plain and simple. If your employees’ job satisfaction
is high, their productivity will follow.
· Future leaders. If you desire to
naturally groom top talent for executive positions, building upon loyalty that
comes from higher job satisfaction is a great place to start. Leaning into your
best people to execute on their leadership styles is far easier when they have
higher satisfaction at the base.
· Better in-house hires. Employees who enjoy
their jobs will respect their jobs, and when they refer friends or peers to be
a part of your business, you’ll be sure that they keep your standards in mind
when picking out additional talent. As a result, referral-based hires will be
more accurate and more reliable.
· Increased loyalty. Loyal employees will
always stick with your business through thick and thin, overproduce in the
hardest of times and overdeliver in the best of times. Loyalty isn’t easily
earned and it’s tough to lose when job satisfaction is at a max.
Responsibilities of an Onboarding Buddy
Specific responsibilities are often
called out in the new employee onboarding buddy guidelines. The following
responsibilities are common for individuals participating in an onboarding
buddy system in most industries.
Specific responsibilities are often
called out in the new employee onboarding buddy guidelines. The following
responsibilities are common for individuals participating in an onboarding
buddy system in most industries.
1. Meet the New
Employee on Their First Day
A new employees day one at a
new company can be a stressful and nerve – wracking event. The new
hire’s onboarding buddy should be waiting to greet them as they enter the
office. An onboarding buddy can ease the tension, especially while waiting for
orientation to begin.
A new employees day one at a
new company can be a stressful and nerve – wracking event. The new
hire’s onboarding buddy should be waiting to greet them as they enter the
office. An onboarding buddy can ease the tension, especially while waiting for
orientation to begin.
2. Introduce the New
Hire to Other Employees
In the first days on the job, the
onboarding employee should make a point to introduce the new hire to as many
co-workers as possible. Onboarding buddies should focus on introducing direct
team members that the new employee will work with on a regular basis.
Additionally, they can ask the new hire
what activities they are interested in to try and find co-workers who share
similar interests.
In the first days on the job, the
onboarding employee should make a point to introduce the new hire to as many
co-workers as possible. Onboarding buddies should focus on introducing direct
team members that the new employee will work with on a regular basis.
Additionally, they can ask the new hire
what activities they are interested in to try and find co-workers who share
similar interests.
3. Answer Questions
About the Job and the Company
One of the most important
responsibilities of an onboarding buddy is to answer questions about the
company and about the specific position. Onboarding buddies will hold a similar
role as the new hire they’re supporting, so they should share first hand
experiences that can help answer questions and ease concerns.
Since they’re on the same level of the
organization hierarchy new hires will likely feel more comfortable
asking their onboarding buddy questions as compared to asking a direct
manager .
One of the most important
responsibilities of an onboarding buddy is to answer questions about the
company and about the specific position. Onboarding buddies will hold a similar
role as the new hire they’re supporting, so they should share first hand
experiences that can help answer questions and ease concerns.
Since they’re on the same level of the
organization hierarchy new hires will likely feel more comfortable
asking their onboarding buddy questions as compared to asking a direct
manager .
4.
Take the New Employee on a Tour of the Workplace
On a new employee’s first day, their
onboarding buddy should give them a workplace tour. They should
highlight any areas that are unique to the company and the sections of the
office that the new hire can expect to spend most of their time in.
On a new employee’s first day, their
onboarding buddy should give them a workplace tour. They should
highlight any areas that are unique to the company and the sections of the
office that the new hire can expect to spend most of their time in.
5. Teaching the New
Hire Unfamiliar Tasks
Another key responsibility that
onboarding buddies own is teaching their new hire unfamiliar tasks. New
employees are not expected to be able to complete every task and requirement of
their new position on the first day.
The onboarding buddy should have
sufficient experience in all areas of their role and be able to assist new
hires on tasks where they’re lacking experience.
Another key responsibility that
onboarding buddies own is teaching their new hire unfamiliar tasks. New
employees are not expected to be able to complete every task and requirement of
their new position on the first day.
The onboarding buddy should have
sufficient experience in all areas of their role and be able to assist new
hires on tasks where they’re lacking experience.
6. Covering the Company
Guidelines, Culture and Unwritten Rules
Outside of the hard skills that need to
be developed, new hires are not aware of all the company guidelines and the
nuances of your organizational culture. Onboarding buddies serve as an
informal support system that can help inform new hires about the culture and
prepare them for any unwritten rules that apply at the company and in the
office.
Outside of the hard skills that need to
be developed, new hires are not aware of all the company guidelines and the
nuances of your organizational culture. Onboarding buddies serve as an
informal support system that can help inform new hires about the culture and
prepare them for any unwritten rules that apply at the company and in the
office.
7. Allowing the New
Hire to Shadow On The Job
Most new hires won’t be prepared to jump
into their day-to-day responsibilities on the first day, or even within the
first few weeks. Onboarding buddies can have their new hires be shadowed
on relevant tasks to get an idea of how the job is completed.
Most new hires won’t be prepared to jump
into their day-to-day responsibilities on the first day, or even within the
first few weeks. Onboarding buddies can have their new hires be shadowed
on relevant tasks to get an idea of how the job is completed.
8. Hold Weekly Check-In
Meetings
Along with the tasks mentioned above,
onboarding buddies should hold weekly check in meetings with their new hires
for at least the first two months of their tenure. This can be through a
calendar hold in a conference room or via an informal lunch meeting.
In these meetings, the onboarding buddy
should gauge how comfortable new employees are in the company and their role.
They should be sure to answer any lingering questions until the new employee
feels completely acclimated to the company.
9.Be
patient.
New hires are nervous and won’t
understand everything on the first day. Be patient with them and make sure to
confirm that the new employee is confident in each task they are introduced to.
10.Offer
feedback.
Feedback in the form of constructive
criticism and praise can expedite a new hire’s productivity in their role.
Onboarding buddies should offer advice on how to better approach tasks that new
hires struggle with and provide praise for a job well done.
11.Don’t
try to cover everything at once.
Overwhelming a new hire with information
will only hinder their progress when onboarding. Onboarding buddies should take
it slow and make sure their new hire completely understands what they’re
covering before moving on to the next piece of information.
12.Don’t
try to force the relationship.
Not all working relationships are
perfect from the start. There may be a difference in personality type or
learning style between a new hire and their onboarding buddy. Instead of trying
to force the relationship or abandoning it altogether, take time to allow the
relationship to form naturally.
Along with the tasks mentioned above,
onboarding buddies should hold weekly check in meetings with their new hires
for at least the first two months of their tenure. This can be through a
calendar hold in a conference room or via an informal lunch meeting.
In these meetings, the onboarding buddy
should gauge how comfortable new employees are in the company and their role.
They should be sure to answer any lingering questions until the new employee
feels completely acclimated to the company.
New hires are nervous and won’t
understand everything on the first day. Be patient with them and make sure to
confirm that the new employee is confident in each task they are introduced to.
Feedback in the form of constructive
criticism and praise can expedite a new hire’s productivity in their role.
Onboarding buddies should offer advice on how to better approach tasks that new
hires struggle with and provide praise for a job well done.
Overwhelming a new hire with information
will only hinder their progress when onboarding. Onboarding buddies should take
it slow and make sure their new hire completely understands what they’re
covering before moving on to the next piece of information.
Not all working relationships are
perfect from the start. There may be a difference in personality type or
learning style between a new hire and their onboarding buddy. Instead of trying
to force the relationship or abandoning it altogether, take time to allow the
relationship to form naturally.
Costs of Not Having a Good Onboarding Program
Many employers mistakenly think that
having employees fill out new-hire paperwork is onboarding, and it’s enough.
They leave the employee to fend for themselves, depending on their teammates
(who may or may not be motivated themselves) to train and integrate them into
the company. Not taking the time up front to set your employee up for success
can lead to:
· Increased turnover
· Increased overhead costs
· A bad reputation
· Lower productivity
Sincerely,
Manikandan Balasubramanian
IamanHR
Many employers mistakenly think that
having employees fill out new-hire paperwork is onboarding, and it’s enough.
They leave the employee to fend for themselves, depending on their teammates
(who may or may not be motivated themselves) to train and integrate them into
the company. Not taking the time up front to set your employee up for success
can lead to:
· Increased turnover
· Increased overhead costs
· A bad reputation
· Lower productivity
Manikandan Balasubramanian
IamanHR
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