You might want to start doing a little more than giving new employees the company handbook when they show up on their first day.
A study suggests that the right orientation program can be very helpful to both workers and employers.
“New employees are like recent immigrants to a country: They don’t fully understand the language, history or culture,” says Howard Klein, co-author of the study and professor of management and human resources at The Ohio State University. “A good orientation program helps workers better understand the organization and its goals, and feel more at ease in the culture — and that helps build commitment.”
Klein said new employees have a lot to learn before they really feel a part of an organization and are able to become productive, contributing members.
“We wanted to find out how effective these programs really are,” says Klein.
The study examined 116 new nonfaculty employees at Ohio State — 55 who attended the university’s three-hour orientation program and 61 who did not. The employees had a wide range of jobs in a variety of departments — everything from accountants to dental assistants and maintenance workers. The program included short lectures and discussions, a videotaped message from the president and various exercises.
Results showed that, before the orientation, both groups were equally unfamiliar with their new employer. Those who attended not only knew more about the goals, values and history of the university than those who didn’t, but also showed a greater commitment to the organization. Analysis showed that the new familiarity with the organization and related commitment both resulted directly from attending the orientation.
“We found that employees who knew and understood the university’s values, goals and history — all of which were discussed as part of the orientation program — were the ones who showed the greatest commitment,” says Klein. “They understood their mission as part of the university and that helped build loyalty. If employers want a committed work force, a good orientation program is an important first step in developing that commitment.
“Nearly every organization has a program for orienting new employees, but most aren’t very effective,” says Klein.
Many orientation programs just focus on discussing rules and company policies. While employees clearly need to understand these things, companies also need to help them understand the bigger picture.
“In our study, a relatively short training program focusing on these issues had a substantial impact,” says Klein. “A good formal orientation program can do more than just pass along information. It can strengthen commitment to the organization and help an organization build and maintain a strong culture.” Todd Shryock ([email protected])is SBN’s special reports editor.
