MENLO PARK, CA -- Although businesses want new staff to “hit the ground running,” some firms may be hindering employees by not offering enough resources during their first days on the job. According to a recent survey, one-third of workers said their employers offered no formal orientation program when they joined the company. This could be a missed opportunity -- a large majority of respondents (87 percent) who received this type of training said it helped prepare them for success with the organization.
The survey was developed by Robert Half International, the world’s first and largest staffing service specializing in accounting, finance and information technology. It was conducted by an independent research firm and includes responses from 492 full- or part-time workers 18 years of age or older and employed in office environments.
Workers were asked, “Did your current employer provide a formal orientation program when you joined the organization?” Their responses:
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Yes
|
|
63%
|
|
No
|
|
33%
|
|
Don't know/no answer |
|
4%
|
|
|
|
100%
|
Respondents who answered “yes” also were asked, “How effective do you feel your company’s orientation program was in preparing you for success at your firm?” Their responses:
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Very effective
|
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45%
|
|
Somewhat effective
|
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42%
|
|
Not very effective |
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8%
|
|
Not effective at all |
|
4%
|
|
Don't know |
|
1%
|
|
|
|
100%
|
“An employee’s first days of work leave a lasting impression, and an orientation program helps staff acclimate more quickly and comfortably,” said Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International and author of Human Resources Kit For Dummies®, 2nd Edition (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.). “These programs also provide employers an opportunity to reinforce the firm’s values and set expectations.”
Robert Half provided the following tips for an effective orientation program:
“To be effective, the orientation process must be an ongoing one,” added Messmer. “Managers should consider assigning new staff a mentor who can provide guidance and answer questions.”
Robert Half International has more than 350 staffing locations in North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, and offers online job search services at www.rhi.com.