Re-Onboarding: Nurturing Potential and Empowering Transitions
What is Re-Onboarding?
Recall your initial days at the company. The first onboarding process introduced you to the organisation’s mission, values, and operational procedures. Re-onboarding takes this further, forming a continuous loop of engagement. It includes periodic refreshers, keeping employees aligned with the ever-evolving company norms and culture. This process isn’t merely about adapting; it’s about nurturing the connection employees have with the organisation and each other.
Why is Re-Onboarding important?
Employees need to be informed about new processes.
Employees need to stay informed about new processes. As the workplace landscape evolves, so do processes and policies. For example, the shift to hybrid work models, meeting protocols, expectations about breaks, or handling personal errands and phone calls. Re-onboarding sessions serve as platforms to introduce and explain these changes, also providing guidance on workplace guidelines. Conduct these conversations during your re-onboarding session so employees understand your expectations and feel prepared for success.
Reminding employees of company goals and values.
Re-onboarding engages employees with workplace culture, making them feel like they belong. Offering actionable objectives is crucial to enable them to embody the company vision. Re-onboarding ensures that employees, whether new or seasoned, align with the shared values driving collective efforts. These sessions remind employees of the big-picture goals they’re trying to achieve as members of the team.
Fostering productivity and collaboration.
Re-onboarding sessions offer opportunities to collaborate on enhancing work processes. This ensures everyone is up to date with company initiatives outside of team meetings, avoiding confusion and saving time. These sessions encourage employees to share their insights and ideas with each other, ultimately contributing to increased productivity.
Re-Onboarding Best Practices
Facilitate Team-Building Exercises
Re-onboarding strengthens bonds among employees. Even if an employee has worked with you for 5 years, there are always new things to learn about them. Everyone should provide a personal introduction and discuss what they’re currently working on, followed by some team-building exercises. This could include board games, online games, or even a game of hangman. Whatever you decide, the session should be engaging, effective, and fun because no employee wants to go through onboarding twice – trust us. Avoid typical paperwork and outline important information using infographics or interactive exercises. While re-onboarding is an opportunity to catch everyone up and check-in on progress, team-building activities improve communication and problem-solving, while offering colleagues a chance to bond and connect.
Set Clear Expectations
Re-onboarding ensures employees understand their roles and responsibilities clearly. Outline topics and communicate what you want to accomplish as a team. When everyone is informed about how the session will go, they can arrive prepared. It’s also important to explain how everyone’s voice will be heard and how the session will be tracked. Everyone needs to be up to date.
Showcase Company Evolution
Re-onboarding is a chance to celebrate everyone’s achievements, encourage positive behaviour, and discuss any changes in priority. This boosts morale and praises good work habits, motivating employees to incorporate the company’s progress into their daily efforts. After the introduction of onboarding, regular check-ins ensure employees understand expectations. These check-ins should be used to discuss ongoing office happenings and answer lingering questions that relate to specific employees. Re-onboarding sessions should introduce company policies, address questions or concerns, and make employees feel valued. The important thing to remember is that there will always be questions to answer and information to refresh.
Extending Re-Onboarding to Returning Parents and Recovering Employees
The need for re-onboarding extends beyond just new hires. It is crucial to extend support to those returning from parental leave and sick leave. Employees coming back from parental leave may need a thoughtful reintegration process. The shift from being a caregiver to re-joining the workforce can be challenging. Re-onboarding also extends to individuals who are returning after a period of sickness. Returning employees deserve to receive the necessary support to transition smoothly back into their roles.
Re-Onboarding is an Ongoing Journey
Re-onboarding isn’t a one-time event; it’s a journey. It helps employees navigate changes in the workplace, feel valued, and be the best they can be. By conducting regular check-ins and embracing re-onboarding as an integral part of company culture, you pave the way for a workplace where informed and satisfied employees lead to higher retention rates and a significant boost in productivity.
