Are you wanting to hire a new staff member but not sure how to do this remotely?
Employing a new staff member in this current climate, when they will be largely working remotely can feel challenging both for the employee and employer if this is not something your business has done in the past. However, there are some practical steps you can take to ensure a smooth onboarding process.
On their first morning, start with a welcome call and go through what they will be doing, also talk through some basic HR, such as how to book holidays and when they get paid. Follow up the call with notes and send them to the staff member, so they have a record they can refer to.
On the same morning, hold a team meeting. Introduce the new team member and talk openly with the team discussing who the new starter can contact for any queries they have. This way everyone knows what is expected of them in terms of support.
There are some practical steps you can take that will make the process seamless.
- Firstly, prepare well for your new staff member starting work. They won’t be going into the office, so they will need a good idea of what they will be doing. Send them a full structure for their first week, of the work they will be doing each day. Set out clear guidelines. Break down each task and send as much information as possible.
- Make sure the person can log onto the system remotely (supply with log in details). Check, do they have a reliable internet connection? Ensure they have all the technology needed prior to starting.
- Make sure that each day someone is set up to have a meeting with the new staff member so that they can ask any questions. Over time this can be reduced, once the staff member is comfortable in what they are doing.
- Assign a work colleague that will be able to support with any questions regarding the job role. It’s important this person knows everything about the job the new staff member will be doing and be able to answer questions on processes.
- Tell them what’s good about your company and share your company culture and values. If there are any team social activities happening such as remote team quizzes, make sure they are invited and feel part of the team.
Remember: Support, communication and information are vital to the success of onboarding a new staff member remotely. It’s in everyone’s interest to make it work as it will help invigorate someone’s career and help your business grow. It’s the staff that build businesses.
If you are looking to hire a new staff and need advice on onboarding them remotely, contact the team at Better Prospects. Don’t hesitate to get in touch as we can support you now with filling your vacancy!
