presentation or Brochure with speaker notes ( employee orientation)
Running head: ORIENTATION PAPER 1
Orientation paper
The orientation program is the process of integrating new employees into organization
system such that they behave as if they have been in the firm for many years. New hires need to
be welcomed into their new organization to make them feel free with everything which is the
work of orientation program. Different firms have a unique orientation program, but essential
components of such process include goals of the enterprise, performance expected from such
employees in the course of achieving goals and where such employees fit in the industry’s
organization culture (Hampel, 2011). This paper is about the components that should make an
appropriate induction program.
Employer commitment to employees
The first stage of a good induction program is to assure newly recruited individuals that
their company is committed towards their success. If in any case, new employees do not feel any
commitment passion from their employer, chances of reduced productivity from such workers
are high. Every job seeker wants to be assured that his new employer is much focused on career
growth and development. It is a sense of identity to the firm and an excellent opportunity to
make new employees feel that they are in the right place (Wanous, 2012).
Employer commitment to the employee is shown through connection to a goal. This
strategy involves human resource trainers teaching new recruits that the firm is committed
towards goal attainment and such employees have a role in the achievement of such objectives.
Second, psychological state to bind recruits to the enterprise and connection to the job follows to
create enthusiasm and commitment from new employees (Westwood, 2014).
ORIENTATION PAPER
2
Reasonable employee expectations
The second stage of an induction program is to set reasonable expectations that employer
wants from new hires (Hampel, 2011). Unrealistic expectations have a danger that new
individuals will be much more if less confidence since they live in fear of failing to hit targets.
Reasonable expectations, on the other hand, help such people to settle naturally and with ease
such that it gives them space to utilize their talents. Maximum production cannot be achieved
with employees who are in a panic.
Unique departmental considerations
Every organization has various departments that work toward the common goal. Each
department has its unique function and expectations. Newly recruited individuals are highly
likely to find it difficult to understand what each department does especially unless it is done
through induction program. Training personnel should inform employees what each department
does and how they are integrated. Functions, boundaries, and policies of each department are the
primary points of considerations that human resource personnel makes (Lawson, 2016). It is after
this process that such employees will find it easy to interrelate with departments since they know
what is expected from each of them (Wanous, 2012).
Access to employee handbook of labor agreement
Handbook of the labor agreement is another crucial element of the induction program.
Labor agreement document acts as a legal contract bidder to govern the relationship between
employer and employees (Hampel, 2011). This document is of particular importance since it
gives assurance to employees whether they can leave the job at will, whether they can be fired
without illegal reasons and compensation necessary in the case of illegal firing. It, therefore,
ORIENTATION PAPER
3
enhances the confidence of workers especially those who are looking for a long-term
engagement without unjustifiable firing.
For example, there are regulations prohibiting fire-at-will due to right workplace laws
such as those of retaliation and discrimination. These provisions must be clearly documented in
labor handbook to act as work security to newly recruited individuals. In case such laws are
violated rules written in the engagement contract, then such a case can be solved legally through
a court process whereby employer should compensate such employees for their lost earnings
(Westwood, 2014).
Current organization culture and future organization culture
Organization culture is one of the crucial components of any firm. Each firm has its way
of doing things making it necessary to introduce new employees to such culture. Spending time
just orienting new employees to the company’s culture with a warm welcome is highly
recommended (Hampel, 2011).
Training personnel should introduce the company’s value to new hires followed with an
explanation of how they are relevant to the enterprise. It breaks the tension of new recruits and
makes them prepared to conform to the values. Talking about the future values is also crucial
since it helps in making it clear what such firm expects to achieve. It acts as a natural mental
preparation to such individuals of how things are run in such companies to avoid conflict in the
future (Lawson, 2016).
Opportunity for site tour
Among orientation program components, a full tour of the workplace is necessary to
establish comfort and familiarity to avoid confusion. An example of areas that should be covered
includes restrooms, kitchen, emergency and first aid supply zones, the location of main office,
ORIENTATION PAPER
4
emergency exits, store room and production center(Wanous, 2012). It is only after this process
that such employees will live in the place as if they have been there for years. The step is
particularly helpful since much of the time after orientation will be spent either in the office or at
production centers leaving no room for such employees to become familiar with their new
organization. It is also hard for old employees to take their time to orient new recruits in the firm
since they might find it a waste of time. Human resource personnel should, therefore, use this
opportunity as the most appropriate for touring the site.
Benefits Summary
Every employee would want to know what the expected salary is and where there are
additional benefits available. Explaining benefits available during orientation period is necessary
to satisfy the souls of such curious employees. It acts as a motivational to new staff since they
become much aware of rewards that lay before them if they have outstanding performance.
Stating rewards available also helps to avoid conflict between the employer and employee in the
future whereby one might claim that his performance is not rewarded appropriately. However,
benefits summary main aim is to motivate (Lawson, 2016).
Opportunity for employee feedback
The last step in orientation program is to assure new employee that they will receive
feedback on performance or any queries. Employee feedback is an assurance that employer is an
engaged and a listening partner (Westwood, 2014). Employees must be assured that their
complaints or issues raised during work period will be replied with feedback immediately. Job
performance tool should have feedback for appraisal and compensation purposes (Lawson,
2016). If there is no an opportunity for employee feedback, then such employees will feel
disengaged and probably working in an uncooperative environment (Wanous, 2012).
ORIENTATION PAPER
5
Conclusion
Above components include what a good orientation program should be. Orientation is
particularly helpful to create comfort and sense of attachment to the firm. It would feel odd for
an employee to report work on the first day and start working immediately. That does not make
up successful training, and such individuals take much time to adapt (Lawson, 2016).
ORIENTATION PAPER
6
References
Hampel, B. & Lamont, E. (2011). Perfect phrases for new employee orientation and onboarding
hundreds of ready-to-use phrases to train and retain your top talent. New York:
McGraw-Hill.
Lawson, K. (2016). New employee orientation training. Alexandra, Virginia: ATD Press.
Wanous, J. P., & Reichers, A. E. (2012). New employee orientation programs. Human resource
management review, 10(4), 435-451.
Westwood, R. & Johnson, L. (2014). Winning with new employee orientation: career
development. Alexandria, Va: ASTD.