Every business owner, at one point of time or another, has had to hire new employees and train them from scratch.
Despite any work experience that your employees might have, you need to allow them time to adjust to your company, get to know the policies and the practices of your business. The general rule of the thumb is to allow them to have about two or three weeks. During this period you provide them with training, correct their mistakes and show them the ropes.
After this period you might think you’re done and your new hire is ready to handle the workload. However, according to studies, the first 90 days are crucial and whatever learned, taught or experienced during those first 90 days can affect the entire duration of the employment.
How to handle the first three months?
In general, the employees only get focused attention and training from their supervisors and co-workers for the first few weeks, after which, the newness seems to wear off and everyone becomes too busy to pay attention. If that happens, the employees feel that they’re not fitting in and their experience is negative. The first few months of employment are vital to develop enthusiasm and anticipation in the employee.
The first three months
Monitor your new hire for the first three months. Ensure that you’re paying them due attention and making them feel welcome. Just a brief acknowledgement and enquiry about their day and work would be enough in most incidences. Don’t assume that two or three weeks would be enough for them to feel a part of your company.
During these three months, they might rapidly improve in their work but they might not feel comfortable in the company. If you want enthusiastic and hard-working employees, you need to ensure they’re happy and thriving at work. Keep an eye on not just their performance, but their interaction with their co-workers and their supervisors. Be keen to note if there’s any problem and see if it resolves on its own before intervening.
Ensure your supervisors are doing their job well
Your new hire will most likely learn and interact more with their direct supervisor than with anyone else. You need to make sure that the supervisors keep an eye on the new hires. You need to insist that they offer support and supervision for the first three months, instead of letting go after the first two or three weeks.
Since you’re running a small business, the supervisors are unlikely to be directed by frequent new employees. Ensure that they do a thorough job in helping your new hire adjust to your company in the first three months.
Routine and positive interaction between co-workers
The best way to do this is to assign your new hire to different teams where they might interact with their co-workers in a more personal and thorough manner. Working together towards a common goal would cultivate good relationships between co-workers.
A little more care and concern can ensure that you have a well-rounded and competent employee who is happy to work for you.
