The first few weeks on the job for a new employee can have a strong impact on his or her long-term job satisfaction. This is the time when the employee establishes attitudes about the position, coworkers, management and the company itself. A well-thought out orientation program can not only help new hires feel at home right away but also make it possible for them to get started on the right foot and quickly become productive. In a survey commissioned by our company among 1,400 chief financial officers, an overwhelming 83 percent of respondents said that formal orientation programs are effective in retaining and motivating personnel. The best programs are tailored to a firm's corporate culture and employee base.
Most businesses also find that a multi-phased orientation program yields better results.
However, the first day of employment is the most important. The following information should be offered in the first orientation session or conveyed by the new employee's immediate supervisor during the first day or two. More detailed information can be presented in later sessions. A comprehensive job description and information on how the new employee's position fits into the organizational structure. Facts about compensation and benefits from health insurance to vacation policies.