15 tips for onboarding remote employees checklist

To run your virtual introduction sessions, you should choose a good video conferencing platform that will allow you to make the most of it. Vowel offers live meeting transcriptions, https://remotemode.net/blog/10-best-remote-onboarding-practices-to-adopt/ which a new hire can go through afterward to make sure they haven’t missed anything important. They’ll also get meeting notes and a recap with shared links and action items.

The goal is to set them up for success by providing everything they need to hit the ground running and make sure you’re both on the same page once their onboarding plan is complete. To learn even more about managing remote teams and keeping employees working at home highly engaged, download our ebook now. Still, the outbreak has forced even more companies and employees to adapt to this way of working. Some surveys found that 88% of organizations plan to allow remote work permanently, even after the end of the pandemic.

A few things to avoid with remote onboarding

An analysis by the Harvard Business Review, meanwhile, concluded that companies with a structured onboarding process get employee retention rates up to 50%. Employee onboarding is crucial to help new hires integrate themselves into the company, team, and culture. While on-site this happens organically, in the case of a remote employee, it should be facilitated properly. Even for contractors brought on for short-term projects, it’s still important to provide opportunities to interact with full-time workers to gain a better understanding of the company.

Before your new hire can start learning and meeting new people, they may have to set up a new computer and access essential systems like email, messaging, and project management tools. While remote work gives employees more flexibility, it also presents some challenges—especially when it comes to onboarding. When new hires can’t meet their coworkers face-to-face and see them on a daily basis, it can be hard to foster a sense of belonging and check in on how new team members are doing. Remote hires also need to navigate virtual communication tools like chat, video conferencing, and project management software from day one.

tips for onboarding remote employees

People learn in different ways, so change up your mediums to keep things interesting. For example, replace big blocks of text with high-quality videos and graphics. It is especially helpful when buddies are from the same level of hierarchy within the organisation. https://remotemode.net/ That’s because they are often in pole position to explain what the company stands for, what it’s all about, and what it’s like to work there. Always make an effort to have your camera on to create a warm face to face feeling when giving the tour.

Remote work requires businesses to embrace digital transformation across all aspects of their operations. From managing their sales, human resources, and facilities, businesses are leveraging technology such as facility management software to digitize their processes. Without proper communication, a remote employee may feel like their progress is stunted, leaving managers frustrated. Remote working benefits both employees and their employers, but it can also pose its own challenges.

What Are the Challenges of Remote Onboarding?

Mentoring is a great way for new hires to get a better feel for the company’s culture. Mentors can serve as guides and sounding boards for remote workers as they ramp up with their new jobs. If the team you are joining isn’t used to being remote, they may not know how to create relationships online.

For example, employees may feel disconnected from their colleagues or manager. This breakdown in communication can have a knock on effect on productivity. On top of content creation, collaborative learning should also happen during the onboarding process.