Imagine it's your first day of a new job. You're filled with anxiety, anticipation, enthusiasm and excitement, ready to prove to your employer that they made the right choice in selecting you. Now imagine being greeted by your supervisor, given a brief tour, and then shuffled to your desk, office or cubicle, handed a stack of papers and documents to which your supervisor tells you that you will spend your first day orienting yourself to your new company and position by reading through all that documentation. Now, how welcome to the new company do you really feel? How much a part of the new company do you feel you have become? By the end of the day, you are probably questioning your decision of accepting this position and are already formulating a plan of leaving.
The scenario detailed above is not uncommon. "This "sink or swim" technique is exceedingly stressful for the new employee, and creates a first impression of a company that does not value its people." (Wexley). When an employee joins the organization, the company has the opportunity to make or break the relationship. That is why organizations are starting to realize the importance of implementing a proper new employee orientation. It enables the employee to assimilate more easily to the organization and become a key contributor while giving the corporation a competitive advantage by reducing the turnover and increasing the productivity of their new hires.
In a tight labor market, good candidates are in great demand. As the competition for skilled employees grows, employers need to double their efforts, not only in selecting and hiring skilled employees, but also in their efforts of retaining them. The fi ...