New Employee Orientation

Socialization, assimilation, orientation, and on boarding-all are terms describing the indoctrination period of new employees during their initial time in a new work setting. Orientation may be comprised of role-specific as well as level-specific programs. Orientation elements related to knowledge transfer typically have to do with “me issues.” While new employees are usually handed reams of documents about benefits and pay plans at time of hire, they are usually in need of additional assistance in making sense of this information. Skill acquisition tied to orientation can go beyond role-required skills; they should also include skills required to survive in the new organization. Use of orientation to enhance attachment will vary by role and level. An understanding organizational strengths and weaknesses relative to employee satisfaction through use of data from an employee survey process can be helpful in designing an orientation program that closes identified gaps and leverages existing organizational strengths. Controlled Vocabulary Terms employee orientation; Knowledge acquisition