Have remote employees? Here's how to onboard them

Onboarding remote employees can present challenges since they can't simply drop by the office for meetings, and getting them up to speed on company matters isn't always rapid. However, with some effort, you can ensure a seamless process that benefits both the employee and your team. Aniday’s article will provide you a comprehensive guide on how to onboard remote employees effectively. Let's get started!

What is remote employees onboarding? 

Remote employees work outside the office, whether they're close to the company's headquarters or in a distant location. Importantly, remote work doesn't necessarily reduce productivity, as around two-thirds of workers feel more productive when working remotely.

Onboarding is the process of integrating new hires into a company, involving orientation, interactions with fellow employees, and learning about the company's mission, structure, culture, and values. Before the pandemic, onboarding was typically done in the office, even for remote employees, but the increase in remote work has led to the prevalence of remote onboarding.

The Significance of the Onboarding Process

Onboarding is the formal procedure for assimilating new team members into an organization. Unlike orientation, which is typically a one-time event, onboarding is an ongoing process throughout an employee's first year. An efficient onboarding process offers enduring advantages, including:

• Enhanced employee retention.

• Faster productivity.

• Reduction of anxiety.

• Setting clear expectations.

Onboarding represents an investment in the long-term success of new hires and the overall company

A cohesive onboarding process is critical, especially for remote employees. It's not just about providing new hires with job-related information; it's also about enabling them to thrive in a remote work environment. 

Common Challenges in Remote Onboarding 

• Identifying the right person for technical assistance or basic guidance. To mitigate this, assigning an onboarding buddy is vital to ensure new hires have a friendly go-to contact.

• Technical challenges like equipment delays, account setup issues, or the need for quick acquisition of new skills. Adequate IT support resources for new team members during their initial days are crucial.

• Addressing potential hesitations in raising onboarding issues, it's essential to actively request and act upon regular feedback. 

Efficient and Effective Tips for Onboarding Remote New Hires

We will discuss in more detailed what you should do to onboard remote new hire efficiently and effectively

Begin Onboarding Early 

Initiating onboarding for remote employees before their official start date can help them adapt more smoothly. 

For example, adding new employees to the team's communication channel, provide information about company culture and upcoming projects, and offer options like training videos, mentorship, and swag to get them excited before their first day.

Connect Employees Online Promptly

In the world of remote work, all team and company interactions happen through screens. To ensure new hires can seamlessly integrate, provide them with essential virtual tools such as messaging apps (e.g., Slack and Microsoft Teams), video conferencing software (like Zoom and Google Meet), and other relevant applications. 

Kickstart the orientation process with early IT setup to grant new team members immediate access and passwords.

Establish a Central Hub for Company Culture and Documentation 

Digitize all employee documents and make them accessible through a company intranet or internal wiki. Many organizations use platforms such as Notion to store digital records of projects, achievements, setbacks, and cultural insights beyond day-to-day activities. 

Intranets are also a valuable repository for information about company culture, aiding both in-office and remote employees in understanding how the company operates.

Foster a Sense of Belonging 

Many remote employees feel isolated and uncertain about where to seek feedback and assistance. To combat this isolation, some employers create communication channels for new employees to access instructional materials and encourage collaboration among them. This approach facilitates immediate interactions between remote employees and their colleagues. 

Another strategy involves assigning mentors or peer "orientation buddies" who can answer questions and support new hires in their growth and learning journey. Such buddy programs enhance the proficiency of new hires.

Customize Remote Onboarding with Video Check-Ins and Goals

Remote employees value clear objectives and the chance for one-on-one meetings with their managers.To sustain this support beyond the initial week, develop a 30/60/90-day plan with specific action items and milestones. This dynamic plan can evolve with the employee's progress. 

Additionally, schedule weekly video conferencing calls with remote hires to facilitate discussions about their goals, track progress, and address any challenges they encounter.

Promote Professional Development and Personal Growth

Training and development are critical for all employees, including those working remotely., offer  remote employees opportunities to access online courses during or after their onboarding, along with a stipend for their personal and professional development. These opportunities extend well beyond the onboarding phase.

Foster Collaborative Learning

Encourage collaborative learning by having new employees work together on case studies or group projects during onboarding. This not only builds connections and introduces team members but also opens the door for cross-training across departments. 

For example, a new sales representative can collaborate with a marketer and a support team member during orientation, facilitating future cross-departmental contacts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, onboarding remote employees can be challenging due to the absence of in-person meetings and the time it takes to familiarize them with company operations. Nevertheless, with dedicated efforts, you can establish a smooth process that proves advantageous for both the employee and your team. Aniday's article hopes this article assists you on how to onboard remote employees effectively.