October 4, 2005
ISSN 1556-7648

Trash Talk: Tip of the Week

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Tip of the Week: Welcoming Your New Hires

Congratulations! You've hired the perfect employee. Now what? We all know there's a lot more to welcoming a new employee than just opening the door and leading them to the job. But do you have a plan to ensure a long lasting successful work relationship? Here are some ideas to help you retain those employees you worked so hard to hire: Announce to your current employees that you've hired someone new to the team. Include in the announcement the strengths and talents the new employee can offer. Create an orientation checklist for all the information, people, resources, skills, etc. a new hire needs to learn in the first few weeks to be successful on the job. Follow the checklist. Use it. Have the employee sign the checklist once all the items have been completed. Keep the completed checklist in the employee's personnel file. Before the employee starts working, have him/her complete all your legally required and internal paperwork: Federal and State (if required) Tax forms, I-9 forms, Emergency notification information, and any other local requirements. Personally introduce the new employee to every current employee. Find a "buddy" for the new employee. Select someone who will patiently and helpfully assist with training and orientation. Also make sure this "buddy" represents the positive attitude, customer service perspective you want every new employee to acquire. Make sure throughout the orientation and training that the new employee has the opportunity to ask questions without judgment. How can you help the new employee feel "ownership" and responsibility toward your business? What can you and your other employees share and role model to instill this productive perspective? Think team! And how you can continually build an atmosphere of employee support to each other and your customers. Arlene Vernon, PHR, is a professional speaker, consultant and author on maximizing the human resources in your managers and your people. For more information on how HRx can help you achieve the results your organization seeks, contact Arlene today at HRx, Inc., Eden Prairie, MN 55344, 952-996-0975, www.HRxcellence.com