Once the initial orientation to the company is over and the basic requirements of the job and the safety program have been covered, it’s time to move the new employee into the workforce and introduce the people he or she will be working with. Coworkers play an important role in getting the new person off to a good start.
What is a veteran employee’s role when it comes to orienting a new employee? Remember that new people are nervous to begin with—just starting a new job. They probably don’t remember all the instructions they are given and aren’t familiar with the new surroundings. This is often a time for information overload. So how can an experienced hand help out?
- Encourage the new hire to ask questions if he or she is not quite sure. Remember how hard it was to admit you didn’t know everything when you started a new job?
- Remember, too, that the new person may be highly skilled and experienced in his or her trade, but not necessarily used to your company’s ways of doing things.
- Point out locations of first-aid kits, fire extinguishers, restrooms, and break rooms.
- Be sure the new employee is wearing the right protective equipment and is using it properly.
- Encourage your senior techs to be mentors to new employees, to help assure that safe work procedures are understood and followed.
- If senior techs spot this person doing something wrong, ask them to tactfully explain the proper procedures. It’s easier to do this if a “coaching” role has been assigned or agreed upon.
- During trainings and meetings have senior techs include the new employee(s) in the group so everyone can get better acquainted.
Perhaps, most importantly, ask your senior techs to lead by example with correct work habits.
Getting a new employee started off on the right foot is very important. Statistics indicate that up to 60% of all job injuries occur to new employees with less than six months experience on the job. Repeated, friendly reminders of safety procedures and work rules by a mentor can greatly reduce the chance of an accident with the new employee. Many times new employees will not think of questions until after they have worked a few days and begin to understand the job requirements more thoroughly.
Remember, getting new people started on the right path doesn’t just help the company, it can help prevent an accident or injury.