Note this article ran in both the California City News and California County News websites.
Organizations are frequently in a pinch when they finally decide to bring in additional help. The pressures of the situation, along with the notion of “temp” employment will frequently lead to shortcuts in the treatment of the new employee and foregoing the on-boarding process entirely.
Savvy department heads realize the value of treating an interim employee the same as any other hire when it comes to things like:
• On-boarding
o Be sure to introduce the new employee to everyone relevant to their position, not just fellow department members.
o Give an introductory tour of all the facilities that the employee may interact with during their assignment.
o Be sure they know the names of mayor, councilmembers and other elected officials.
• Policies
o What are your email, cell phone and break policies?
• Organizational Traditions and Culture
o Do you have casual Fridays?
 If so, do you have dress guidelines?
o Are there after-hours gatherings such a trip to a local pub on Friday evening?
 Be sure to include your new employee in the social life of your organization.
• Research indicates employee participation in social activities with supervisors and co-workers benefits employees and employers by increasing job satisfaction, enhancing performance, reducing stress and generating greater commitment to the organization.
• Safety
o What is the safety culture of your organization?
 Be sure to include your new employee in all relevant briefings given to full time permanent employees.
o BOLT Staffing’s website features a video that is the product of a joint initiative with the US OSHA and American Staffing Association that emphasizes the importance of treating temporary employees in exactly the same way as permanent employees when it comes to safety. Feel free to circulate it within in your organization. (Scroll to the bottom of the web page to find the video.)
For positions that require interaction with the community your investment in making your new employee feel welcome and up to speed will translate to their confidence and that will enhance the experience your constituents have with your organization. For positions that involve the operation or proximity to industrial equipment, actively including your new employee into your safety culture will benefit everyone.