What's your on-boarding process?

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Permalink Reply by Steve Springer on December 13, 2011 at 9:03am

Organizationally, we in GSA/FAS have one aspect of a full on-boarding process and that is a 4 day event.  Part of it is training on the organization parts, mission, and programs.  The other part is skills training (networking, identifying strengths, career planning).  This is an immensely popular program, with a waiting line to participate.  All employees have the opportunity to participate in their first year on the job.  We would have a more effective on-boarding program if we had a structured process for new employees in their first 1-3 months on the job.  Some parts of the organization have that, but it is not organization-wide.  

Permalink Reply by GovLoop on December 18, 2011 at 12:33pm

I'm curious about the skills training.  What is the format for that?  What do people like the best?

Permalink Reply by Jerilyn Handel Polson on December 15, 2011 at 10:17am

Great topic.  The County has a 4-pt New Employee Orientation, which could take 2 months for a new person to complete, since each class is only offered once a month. Still it lays important groundwork about mission, values, etc.  I think more to your point is what the supervisor on site does to coordinate a welcoming setting and orderly orientation to the workplace, the position, and how this new person's job relates to other jobs at the site and in the agency.

We use orientation checklists and schedule one-on-one meetings and small group trainings as appropriate.  A balance of face time and down time to read and absorb new information helps if you can manage it.  With bare bones staffing we often need for that new person to hit the ground running, so it's tempting to neglect thoughtful on-boarding.  This can lead to problems later that are much harder to repair.  If we truly want/need high performing teams, the whole team has to be involved in welcoming new team members.

This posting is a personal opinion and may not reflect that of Fairfax County Government.

Permalink Reply by GovLoop on December 18, 2011 at 12:35pm

Very cool.  I like how you do both - you need the overrarching mission, values, etc.  But in end, you care most about how does your job fit in and how do I do a good job & get my job done.

I'm with you - it's like all planning.  If you can invest an extra 5 hours up front, will save 50 hours later.

What are in the 4 part orientation?  What are the 4 classes?