The Importance Of Inducting New Employees
From my experience, the process of inducting new employees normally runs with one of two themes behind them
. The first is a rose-smelling happy feel good HR experience which tries to sell how great the organisation is, and how welcome the new employee is to walk within the halls. The second wags the finger at the employee, continually reminding them of company expectations and that termination will be the result of failing to meet these expectations.
Both of these viewpoints do come from a valid foundation. Making new employees feel welcome and a part of the team is as vitally important as detailing organisational expectations through policies and procedures. However one must not forget about the role inducting new employees plays in workplace safety.
Inductions are a good kick start in workplace safety for several reasons. Firstly, this is when you are most likely to shape an employees attitude towards safety. If you do not take safety seriously from the outset, neither will the new employee. Furthermore, an employee is most eager to learn and take on ideas when they are new. Typically the thirst for knowledge is at its greatest when an employee is fresh and eager to impress. When you add the fact that a new employee is more likely to injure themselves regardless of age, sex or occupation not only does it make sense that inducting new employees is necessary, but that they should be geared around ensuring a new employee learns how to do their role safely within your organisation.
Further to being best practice in safety, there are legislative requirements to the induction of new staff. Looking at NSW as an example, Sec 13 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2001 NSW, sets out the requirement of employers to ensure that each new employee receives induction training. More than this, the Act is specific in what the training must cover. Management arrangements of workplace health and safety, health and safety procedures and access to safety information are all part of the Act.
To ensure this is properly done keep the following in mind when creating induction materials:
Separate corporate and site inductions. Centre corporate inductions on company background, expectations, rights and responsibilities, general policies and procedures. Centre site inductions around emergency procedures, safe work method statements, PPE storage and use, hazard and incident reporting procedures, hazard identification such as hazardous substances or work practices and consultation procedures. Also during site inductions, explain to an employee how policy and procedures explained in the corporate inductions work in reality. For example, corporate induction may explain a hazardous substance policy whereby a register of all hazardous materials is kept in the site office with copies of MSDS. At the site induction physically show the employee the register and where the materials are stored and how they are used. Then explain hazards associated with each chemical and relevant PPE and safe work procedures which are required to work with the chemical safely. Remember, a site induction must be completed for every site where an employee is required to work.
The process of inducting new employees needs to be documented, but dont drown the employee in paperwork. Sitting a person down in front of a computer for hours on end or giving them a 1000 page induction booklet will not encourage their learning. Dont be afraid to prioritise the information and set the induction out over a couple of days. I have seen highly effective induction programs which are run over 2 weeks!
Show, dont tell, visual learning is often the best way of transferring information when inducting new employees. For example, physically take the employee on a site tour and show them where the emergency exits are rather than pointing it out on a site map.
Assign the new employee a mentor or buddy with a dual purpose of ensuring the correct supervisor is assigned to the employee, and also allowing the employee to have an immediate avenue to raise any concerns.
Re-induct all staff a minimum once every year.
Inductions should be viewed as a way of not only introducing the employee to the organisation, but also to safety within the organisation. A good start here may set the tone for the length of your new employees service.
by: Lily Horn
Cameron Associates Investor Relations Firm Moves Into A New Office To Support Its Growth Is Amazon Already Testing Its New Kindle Smartphone? Dry Fruits: Source Of Energy Advantages Of Business Solar Energy Modern Bicycle Parts & Accessories For A New Cycling Experience Going Solar In Massachusetts And Conserving Energy Solar Energy Home Conservation What Are The Parameters To Choose Right Energy Saving Lighting Singapore Tourism: The Perfect Conflux Of The Old And The New Learn About Residential Solar Energy We Need Is A New Way To Get Rid Of The Diablo 3 Brand New Online Learning Reliability Profession Advancemen Divorce Lawyer New York City Provide Legal Solution To Couples