Onboarding in the Remote Era: Best Practices for Virtual Welcomes

It wasn’t too long ago when it was rare to find a work-from-home job. However, these days, almost everyone knows someone who gets to work from home. Whether full-time or part-time, employers all over the world are embracing this model, and for the most part, employees are loving it.

However, as you may already know, working from home can be an adjustment, and for some new hires, it can be as scary as a tonsillectomy is to a five-year-old. Your social media evaluation of them may indicate that they’re outgoing and have lots of friends, but that doesn’t mean it’s true “in real life” too. This is why setting the right foundation during onboarding is so important.

Whether you just finished completing those cheap background checks and have a training class about to start or you just need some tips to strengthen your business’s onboarding process, check out the tips we’ve put together below.

The introduction process

No matter if you’re onboarding just one new hire or you’re bringing on a team of 20, you always have to begin the onboarding process by introducing them to your business's policies, culture, and expectations given their role. Generally, managers will follow this by asking new hires to share a little about themselves and breaking the ice, but it’s almost always the same thing: “Tell us your name and where you’re from.” For those work-from-home positions, though, you should take it a step further and make it fun.

Break the ice with your team with an open discussion on favorite foods or the last movie they saw in a theater—whatever gets the conversation rolling between new and existing employees. Use interactive team activities, and you can even consider giving out prizes. Making the beginning of the onboarding process different and a little fun can help set those trepidious employees at ease.

Make sure they’re prepared

Just because they got their MBA online and know how to use and disable a VPN doesn’t mean that they know the best practices for working from home. Even if you mentioned in the interview that they’d be working remotely, it’s always a good idea to make sure that they’re fully prepared for the transition. While fresh graduates may be accustomed to completing responsibilities in an at-home environment, not everyone will be as prepared.

This means providing new employees with all of the necessary equipment, like an affordable standing desk, software, and login information. Consider sending them a welcome package with branded company items like a mug or t-shirt, as well as any relevant training materials or manuals. This will help them feel like part of the team and get off to a good start in their new remote working environment.

Utilize Virtual Communication Tools

In the traditional onboarding process, you may have been able to just walk over to your new hire’s desk for a quick chat or pull them into a conference room for training. Remote onboarding is different and can come with unique challenges, whether you’re hiring employees for janitorial business or as an online educator. You need to utilize virtual communication tools to keep things running smoothly.

Video conferencing, instant messaging, and project management software are just a few examples of tools that can help bridge the gap between remote employees and in-office employees. Make sure your new hires are comfortable using these tools and have access to them before their first day on the job.

Onboarding remote employees

Embracing the digital tools, making the process engaging, and ensuring a friendly virtual environment are key to effective remote onboarding. These practices not only help in setting the right expectations but also foster an inclusive culture, making new hires feel welcomed and part of the team from day one. Adapt to the changing times and watch your remote team thrive with a strong and efficient onboarding process.