Creating Opportunities in Difficult Times When Onboarding Remotely
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Creating Opportunities in Difficult Times When Onboarding Remotely
More than a year after the onset of COVID-19, Australians are still continuing to work from home. According to a recent report from The Guardian, 20% of businesses had staff working remotely prior to the pandemic, but that has since increased to 44%, and the Productivity Commission hints that it is unlikely that we will return to pre-pandemic levels anytime soon. Fortunately, most companies have successfully transitioned into an online onboarding setup through the use of various technological aids.
However, a phenomenon currently playing out in the US is predicted to be felt in Australia too. Microsoft research revealed that 40% of the workplace is considering bidding farewell to their current employers. This is largely due to the fatigue brought about by the very same technological aids that have helped companies. Endless Zoom calls and longer hours have added to the physical and mental toll of work, not to mention that other technical and organisational issues may arise both from the employee’s and the company’s end.
The current work situation presents immense challenges, especially for new hires, but there are also plenty of opportunities to provide better working conditions for your employees, and of course, to grow your company. That said, we’ll be delving into the difficulties and opportunities that remote onboarding can present.
Challenges
Feelings of isolation
Remote work can be especially difficult for those who are fresh to the company, and the more isolated they feel, the less likely they are to form a connection, which can push them to leave the company earlier. The most crucial step is to make them feel welcome by introducing them to a team and assigning them a mentor, so they’ll have someone they can turn to for their questions. Encourage them to build relationships with co-workers as soon as possible, and go the extra step to make them feel comfortable in a new work environment. For example, you could organize a game night or pub quiz to assimilate them into the company.
Limited support
Plenty of employees aren’t at their most productive because of the lack of equipment. According to the Work Health and Safety Act, employers are obligated to keep their workers safe and well-equipped. Consider setting an allowance for employee needs, such as desks, computers, and other tools you would need for an actual office setup — this also includes access to necessary software programs. If the remote setup is to be prolonged, then delivering tech kits to employees would actually be a form of investment.
Coordination problems
The lack of coordination from the top-down to the bottom-up also poses a threat to remote onboarding. A survey by O.C. Tanner Institute revealed a 49% decrease in engagement. Fostering communication and company culture online is even more critical because of the lack of in-person interactions. To remedy this, it would be best to schedule mentoring sessions and team meetings during the onboarding period. Share the company vision and encourage employees to work towards tangible goals.
Opportunities
Increased efficiency via technology
Peter Diamandis and Steven Kotler suggest in their book ‘The Future is Faster Than You Think’ that we should view the challenge of using emerging technologies as opportunities to excel. Access to newer modes of communication, cloud computing, and even games, can make it easier to funnel employee candidates and welcome them throughout the onboarding process. For instance, Forbes highlights how gamification improves engagement by 48% and improves employee turnover by 36%.
Potential for flexibility
ABC News reports that onboarding, and working remotely in general, actually saves people a lot of time, money, and energy. Average time value and transport cost total to around $57 a day. Thus, the saved energy and money can instead go to personal endeavours. Having the whole onboarding process online is also useful as people can just hop on and off whenever they are needed. Moreover, when companies establish proper work boundaries, it also gives employees the “right to disconnect”, which is important for work-life balance.
Onboarding can still be quite tricky in the era of working from home. But it all boils down to how companies are willing to seize these challenges and turn them into opportunities. Companies must be strategic and adaptable to make their onboarding process successful, and in turn, boost employee retention.
Article written by Renee Jofers
Exclusively for Beaumont People
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