Five simple ways to engage new employees and foster a positive work environment. 

Any Human Resources professional will espouse the importance of effective onboarding for engagement and retention. Yet companies, and more specifically people leaders, still get it wrong. There are many reasons why this can happen; lack of onboarding processes, a failure to tailor to individual needs, inadequate communication and feedback, limited integration of technology and a lack of prioritisation, to name just a few. 

Bayside Group consultants are in regular contact with both the employer and the candidate throughout the onboarding process, which places them in a unique position to identify trends across diverse organisations. Here, we share five simple ways to engage new employees and foster a positive work environment. 

1. Creating a Welcoming Onboarding Experience 

Creating a welcoming onboarding experience is crucial to making new hires feel comfortable and valued from the start. This can be achieved by providing a clear and organised onboarding process that introduces new employees to the company culture, policies, and procedures. Additionally, a warm and friendly welcome from colleagues and managers can go a long way in helping new hires feel included and supported. 

During the onboarding process, it is essential to provide new hires with all the necessary resources and information they need to succeed in their roles. This may include providing access to training materials, introducing key team members, and assigning a mentor or buddy who can guide them through their first few weeks on the job. Where employees are willing to help and respond to questions in a timely way, it significantly improves the experience. 

2. Implementing Mentorship Programs 

Implementing mentorship programs can greatly benefit new hires by providing a support system and source of guidance, whether that be navigating the role, the function of different departments or personalities. Mentors can offer advice, share their experiences, and help new hires navigate the challenges of their new roles. This will help new employees feel more confident and connected to the organisation. 

When implementing mentorship programs, it is important to match mentors and mentees based on their skills, interests, and goals. Regular check-ins and opportunities for mentors and mentees to meet and discuss their progress can also enhance the effectiveness of the program. 

3. Promoting Team Building Activities 

Promoting team building activities is a great way to foster camaraderie and collaboration among new hires and existing employees. These activities may include team lunches, off-site outings, collaboration sessions or team-building exercises, yet it is worth noting that the nature of these activities will depend on the team. Some activities can alienate team members, so choosing activities that are effective in building stronger relationships is key. 

Team building activities also provide an opportunity for new hires to showcase their skills and contribute to the team outside of their core tasks, which may be narrower initially. This can help them feel more valued and recognised for their abilities. 

4. Providing Continuous Feedback and Recognition 

Providing continuous feedback and recognition is essential for engaging new hires and helping them grow in their roles. Regular feedback sessions can help new employees understand their strengths and areas for improvement and provide them with the necessary guidance to succeed. 

Continuous feedback also provides leaders with opportunities to improve the employee experience by overcoming barriers; whether that be timely information, resources required to excel or additional training. With employees are experiencing significant change in the workplace even if they aren’t new hires, continuous feedback is fundamental to engagement. 

In addition to feedback, it is important to recognise and celebrate the achievements of new hires. This can be done through verbal praise, written acknowledgments, or small rewards. Recognising contributions can motivate new hires and make them feel valued and appreciated. 

5. Encouraging Professional Development Opportunities 

Encouraging professional development opportunities for new hires can help them enhance their skills and advance in their careers. Providing access to training programs, workshops, and seminars demonstrates the organisation's commitment to employee growth and development. It also goes a long way to demonstrating trust in new employees. 

Additionally, offering opportunities for new hires to take on challenging projects or assignments can help them develop new skills and gain valuable experience. This can not only benefit the individual employee but also contribute to the overall success of the organisation. 

Organisations that have a culture for welcoming new hires, and processes to help streamline engagement are more likely to improve the employee experience and their contributions to the business. For further information on engaging employees, check out the Good Workplace Guide. 

Bayside Group is an award-winning recruitment organisation that has serviced Australian companies for almost fifty years. If you need help hiring new talent, get in touch today.