Remote onboarding is a challenge for any organization, but especially for those that want to attract and retain diverse and global talent. How can you ensure that your new hires feel welcome, engaged, and supported, regardless of their location, culture, or background? Here are some tips to make remote onboarding inclusive for all candidates.
Before you design your remote onboarding program, you need to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve and how you will measure it. Do you want to increase retention, performance, satisfaction, or engagement? How will you track and evaluate these outcomes? How will you solicit feedback from your new hires and their managers? Having a data-driven approach will help you identify and address any gaps or issues in your onboarding process.
In my experience onboarding is truly a critical element of the retention journey and as we have so many various working setups (remote, in-person, hybrid ) so the best onboarding takes into consideration all of those elements. Outside of that: you truly have to not only track key onboarding metrics but also from the information gathered make improvements and then follow up with those who made the suggestions to show them that you heard and understood their feedback and insight.
One size does not fit all when it comes to remote onboarding. You need to consider the diverse needs, preferences, and expectations of your new hires, and tailor your content and delivery accordingly. For example, you can use different formats, such as videos, podcasts, webinars, or e-books, to suit different learning styles. You can also adapt your content to reflect the cultural and linguistic diversity of your audience, such as by using inclusive language, images, and examples, and providing translations or subtitles if needed.
In my experience I am one of the few people who still like to have paper items, however, I know for some people electronic is more cost-effective. But ideally a mix of computer-generated, tangible items, video content, and live is a great and winning combination. This variety leaves room to ensure that all candidate's needs are met.
One of the biggest challenges of remote onboarding is creating a sense of belonging and community among your new hires, who may feel isolated or disconnected from their colleagues and the organization. To overcome this, you need to foster social interactions and relationships, both within and across teams. For example, you can assign buddies or mentors to your new hires, who can offer guidance, support, and feedback. You can also organize virtual events, such as coffee chats, happy hours, or games, to help your new hires bond with their peers and have fun.
To add on to the biddy and mentor assigned for new hires. Each hire would appreciate having someone who can provide support, answer questions, and offer guidance. You should also encourage informal check-ins between new hires and their mentors/buddies.
Remote onboarding is not a one-time event, but a continuous process that requires ongoing support and communication. You need to ensure that your new hires have access to the resources, tools, and information they need to succeed in their roles, and that they are aware of the policies, procedures, and expectations of the organization. You also need to check in regularly with your new hires, and provide them with constructive feedback, recognition, and opportunities for growth. By doing so, you will build trust, confidence, and loyalty among your new hires.
This can be enhanced by providing accessible Technology. You should ensure that the technology used for onboarding is accessible to all candidates, including those with disabilities for example providing alternative formats for written materials and instructions.
Finally, you need to celebrate the diversity and inclusion of your remote workforce, and show your new hires that they are valued and respected for who they are and what they bring to the organization. You can do this by highlighting the stories, achievements, and contributions of your diverse employees, and by creating a culture of appreciation and recognition. You can also encourage your new hires to share their perspectives, ideas, and feedback, and to participate in employee resource groups, affinity networks, or diversity initiatives.
By following these tips, you can make remote onboarding inclusive for all candidates, and create a positive and memorable experience that will set them up for success and engagement in your organization.
Creating resource hubs - Centralized online resource hub where employees can access important information, policies, and resources. You should also ensure the hub is easily navigable and user-friendly.