What are Employee Onboarding Materials?
Employee Onboarding Materials are the resources and documents provided to new hires to help them understand the organisation, its culture, policies, and their specific role within the company. These materials aim to facilitate a smooth transition for new employees, ensuring they have all the necessary information to start their journey on a confident and informed note. Onboarding materials can include employee handbooks, policy documents, training guides, organisational charts, and access to digital onboarding platforms.
Why are Employee Onboarding Materials relevant to internal comms?
Employee Onboarding Materials are crucial for internal communications as they represent one of the first formal interactions a new employee has with the organisation's internal comms. The quality, clarity, and relevance of these materials can significantly impact a new hire's perception of the company and their role in it. Effective onboarding materials help ensure that new employees feel welcomed, valued, and equipped to contribute to their new roles, thereby enhancing employee engagement and retention.
Examples of Employee Onboarding Materials in internal comms
Examples might include a comprehensive employee handbook that outlines company culture and policies, a welcome packet with messages from key leaders, a series of instructional videos for role-specific training, and an interactive intranet site that houses all onboarding resources.
Best practices for Employee Onboarding Materials
Ensure that materials are clear, engaging, and reflective of the company's brand and culture.
Regularly update onboarding materials to keep them relevant and in line with any organisational changes.
Incorporate a variety of formats (print, digital, video) to cater to different learning styles and preferences.
Common challenges for Employee Onboarding Materials
Keeping content engaging and not overwhelming for new hires.
Ensuring consistency and accuracy across all materials.
Tailoring materials to address the specific needs and questions of diverse roles within the organisation.
What do Employee Onboarding Materials mean for frontline teams?
For frontline teams, effective Employee Onboarding Materials mean having a clear understanding of operational procedures, company policies, and their roles and responsibilities from the outset. This clarity is essential for building confidence and competence in customer-facing roles, directly impacting service quality and team performance.
Employee Onboarding Materials FAQs
How can internal comms make onboarding materials more engaging?
By incorporating interactive elements, personalising content where possible, and using a conversational tone that resonates with new hires.
What role do digital platforms play in delivering Employee Onboarding Materials?
Digital platforms can enhance the accessibility and interactivity of onboarding materials, allowing for self-paced learning and easy access to resources.
How do you ensure new employees engage with onboarding materials?
By introducing a structured onboarding schedule that includes checkpoints and feedback opportunities to ensure materials are reviewed and understood.
