Induction Programmes Are Not Just For New Recruits

Induction is not just for newcomers, but for anyone who is in a new situation at work or who has special needs. Induction, therefore, will include:

• Staff newly promoted

• Staff transferred

• Staff requiring re-orientation after major change

• People returning after a long break, e.g. after illness or maternity leave

• Part timers/shift workers

• Those on temporary contracts

• Graduates/school leavers

• Work experience placements

• People on secondment

You must decide which parts of the induction will be relevant to them as they may not need all the information that a newcomer will receive.

Looking After Different Needs

When designing your induction programme, allow it to be flexible to accommodate the different needs of staff. In particular:

• Women returning to work after a long break

• Graduates/school leavers

• Part-timers

• Disabled people

• Those transferred and promoted

Women Returning To Work

Take into account the fact that:

• They may have lost confidence

• Their skills may be out of date

• They will need updating on company changes that have taken place while they were absent

They May also prefer one-to-one coaching rather than group training where they may feel unable to keep up with the rest of the group

Graduates And School Leavers

Some companies that hire large numbers of graduates will have a special graduate induction programme. However, this is not always necessary. What you need to think about is that many graduates have never worked before and, therefore, they will need assistance with items that others may seem unnecessary.

For example:

• How the photocopier and fax work

• Filing systems

• Dealing with customers and clients

• Change from academic style of working to a more pragmatic one

• How to meet deadlines within work hours

Remember, some may need confidence building and a buddy would probably help with this.

Part-Timers/Shift Workers

These people often get overlooked because they are not always available to attend the induction with other staff. However, it is important that they are treated in exactly the same way as a permanent newcomer would be by:

• Arranging training and presentations when they are able to attend

• Compensating them if they have to attend during their own time

• Allowing more time for them to get through the programme because they are not at work all of the time and, consequently, they may take longer to integrate

Disabled People

It is now law that an employer must make reasonable adjustments to accommodate disable persons. The best way to do this is to ask newcomers what it is they may need. This will depend on the disability but can include:

• Wheelchair access

• Special IT equipment such as larger screens or Braille keyboards

• Signer

For more information on what is available, contact your local job centre.

People On Secondment And Work Experience

Even though these people are not permanent, it is still important that they are given the same induction as permanent staff. This will enable them to be effective in what they are to achieve while they are with you.

Also it gives them a good impression of your company. Sometimes they may end up getting a job with you!

And Finally - People Transferred And Promoted

This is another group of people who tend to get forgotten. It is assumed that because they already work in the company they will not need induction. Useful for those people who have been promoted or transferred is:

• Information on their new role (a written description and explanation by new manager)

• Introduction to new team

• Integration into the team culture

• Training if new skills required

Jonathan Farrington is the Managing Partner of The jfa Group

His weekly blog giving dedicated business professionals a voice is updated every Friday visit:http://www.thejfblogit.co.uk