Onboarding new hires is a critical step in the employee journey and can make or break their success at your organization. Having effective onboarding practices in place can ensure that your new hires are set up for success from the very beginning. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the do's and don'ts of onboarding new hires to ensure that they have the best possible start at your organization.

DO give your hires a warm welcome.

As a small business owner, you know how important it is to give new hires a warm welcome. First impressions are key and the beginning of the onboarding process sets the tone for the rest of their experience. A successful onboarding process should not only serve as a way to introduce them to your company but also make them feel like an important part of the team.

One of the best ways to give your new hires a warm welcome is to greet them with a smile and a friendly handshake. This small gesture can go a long way in making them feel welcome and appreciated.

Make sure to introduce your new hire to their co-workers and provide them with a tour of the office. This will help them get more familiar with their surroundings and help them feel more at home in their new workspace. Be sure to take time to answer any questions they may have and offer them words of encouragement throughout the process.

By taking the time to give your new hires a warm welcome, you’ll be setting them up for success and making sure they have a positive first impression of your business. This can go a long way in helping them become a successful member of your team.

DON’T overwhelm them with paperwork on the first day.

It can be tempting to bombard your new hires with paperwork on their first day. However, this is a big mistake! Overloading your new hire with forms and paperwork on their first day can create an atmosphere of confusion and frustration and make your new hire feel overwhelmed and unmotivated. Instead, try to keep the first day focused on introductions, tours of the office and getting to know the team.

If you are a small business, it may be necessary to ask your new hires to complete some paperwork before they can begin work. To avoid overwhelming them, you should provide the paperwork ahead of time so that they can complete it before their first day. This will give them the chance to familiarize themselves with the paperwork and any policies or regulations that may apply. It also allows you to review the paperwork in advance, ensuring that all necessary documentation is properly completed.

DO show them around the office and introduce them to their coworkers.

It’s important to give your new hire a warm welcome and make them feel part of the team. Showing them around the office and introducing them to their co-workers is an important step in the onboarding process. Make sure they know who their colleagues are, where the common areas are, and what resources they can access. As a small business, you may not have the budget for fancy office tours but simply pointing out the office layout and introducing the new hire to the team can go a long way.

DON’T forget to follow up after their first day.

Make sure that your new hires are settling in and feeling comfortable in their new role. After the first day of onboarding, it's important for small businesses to remember to follow up with the new hire and ensure that they understand their job duties, have the resources they need, and feel welcomed by their co-workers. Following up is an easy way to show that you care about your new employee's experience and will help them to feel more confident in their role. Make sure to check in regularly and ask how they are doing, if they need any help or resources, and if they have any questions or concerns. This will ensure a smooth transition into the workplace and allow them to feel supported by their employer.

DO assign them a buddy or mentor.

As a business owner, you know that having a supportive and knowledgeable mentor is key to a successful onboarding process. A mentor can provide your new hire with advice and answer any questions they may have about the company. This can help make them feel like part of the team and make the transition easier. Small businesses especially can benefit from this kind of relationship as it allows for more personalized attention for your new hires. Assigning your new hires a buddy or mentor can give them the confidence they need to succeed in their new role and make them feel valued in your organization.

DON’T forget to check in with them regularly.

It is crucial to check in with your new hires regularly. This will help them feel comfortable and provide them the support they need to thrive in their new roles. For small businesses, it is especially important to check in on new hires as you may have limited resources for onboarding and training. Checking in can be as simple as sending an email or having an informal chat with them every few weeks to ensure they're settling in well. This can help ensure that your new hire is staying on track and progressing in their role.

DO give them feedback and praise.

As a small business owner, it is essential that you give your new hires feedback and praise. This will help to build morale, encourage growth, and make them feel valued. It is important to be mindful of the type of feedback that you are giving your new hires. Constructive criticism is important for growth, but so is positive reinforcement. Offer genuine compliments when they do something well, or thank them for going above and beyond. Showing appreciation for their efforts will help them feel part of the team, and it may even inspire them to do more.

DON’T make them feel like they are not a part of the team.

You have the responsibility of setting up your new hires for success by making sure they feel like they are an integral part of the team. Avoiding making them feel like they are just a cog in the wheel and not valued is essential. New employees can often feel out of place or unsure of their roles and responsibilities when they first start, so it's important that you take the time to ensure they feel welcome and included. When introducing your new hire to the rest of the team, try to be as open and inclusive as possible, and provide your new hire with opportunities to get to know their colleagues better.

Additionally, be sure to check in with them regularly, provide feedback and praise where appropriate, and allow them to offer suggestions or ideas. Ultimately, showing your new hires that they are appreciated and valued from the start will go a long way in making them feel like part of the team.