‘Induction’ is
a systematic process of familiarising the new recruits to the organisation
functioning so that they become productive in the least possible time.
Induction is the tool to orient the new recruits to various aspects of the
organisation and his / her job. The aim of the induction process is to help new
employees make a smooth, positive adjustment to the workplace. Induction
enables the new employee to gain familiarity with the work environment and to
acquire a sense of belonging that will build a commitment to the organisation.
Recruitment is an expensive business. It takes time, money and effort to find
the right people to join your team. What a pity it would be to jeopardise this
by forgetting the importance of treating a new employee really well on joining
you.
Induction is
the process, formal or informal that introduces newcomers to your organisation.
Ideally it should take place as soon as possible after the new member has
arrived. An effective induction process shortens the time it takes to get the
new recruit up to speed. An induction process is not simply for new employees.
The same benefits can be received by staff who have been promoted or
transferred or those who have returned from a long period of absence.
Furthermore, you should be careful to include against long term temporary
staffs, which is entitled to the same training and development as permanent
staff members. To not do so could harm your organisation and may be considered
discriminatory. Proper induction will give both the employees and the
organisation the following benefits:
Quickly
assimilate the workplace culture, as well as
o Their knowledge of the products/services provided by the
organisation and the systems in place.
o Boosts confidence and improves work quality and productivity, as
well as helping to reduce incidences of early leaving, which can be extremely
costly to the organisation.
o As induction involves other staff other than the inductee, the
process can also be useful in developing the skills of existing staff. As well
as these benefits induction can ensure that health and safety rules are
properly disseminated to all staff and a good induction will help with an
investment in People application.
A
successful induction process has three Goals -
o Helps new employees settle in;
o Helps new employees understand their responsibilities and what is
expected of them;
o Ensures the employer receives the benefit of the new employee as
quickly as possible.
o An induction process should have three themes running through it.
It should be;
o Flexible and interesting;
o Employee centred;
o Meets equal opportunities requirements.
Objectives of induction
Despite its
particular term, induction is simply another part of the training process that
organisations invest in their staff. Like any form of training it should have
the objective of developing the relevant skills, knowledge and behaviour of
employees that their posts require. Such training should be SMART (Specific,
Measurable, Action orientated, Relevant, Time bound)
These are the
objectives of the induction:
o To ensure that staff become effective as quickly as possible;
o To communicate the organisation’s culture, values and policies;
o To clarify the organisation’s objectives, structure and working
arrangements;
o To convey the objectives, structure and working arrangements of
the Different Departments;
o To encourage commitment and motivation through a sense of
belonging;
o To agree objectives for the initial period of employment;
o To explain to the new employee the changes those are taking place
in the organisation. This should build on messages already communicated as part
of the recruitment process.
The benefits
of ‘induction’ for new employees:
o The removal of apprehension and uncertainty so they feel part of
the work group and the organisation;
o A clear understanding of what the expectations are for the
performance of the job;
o The opportunity to establish contacts;
o The opportunity to contribute as quickly as possible;
o Effective management of the administrative requirements.
