AWC Personnel News - June 2007  (Plain Text Version)

Return to Graphical Version

In this issue:
 Legislation Eliminating Gain-Sharing Faces Legal Challenges
 Pension System Contribution Rates
 Other Personnel & Labor Relations Legislation
 CONTRACT LANGUAGE: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
 Latest CPI Data
 How Effective is Your New Hire Orientation Process?
 Jurisdiction of Human Rights Commission Clarified
 Child Support Programs Save Employers Time, Money
 Federal Minimum Wage to Increase
 Are You on E-mail Overload?
 Mark Your Calendars!


How Effective is Your New Hire Orientation Process?

We all know that first impressions often become lasting impressions. This is true in both personal relationships and in relationships with organizations. How can your organization do a better job of managing its first impressions with newly-hired employees?

We all know that first impressions often become lasting impressions. This is true in both personal relationships and in relationships with organizations. How can your organization do a better job of managing its first impressions with newly-hired employees?

A recent article in the Journal of Applied Psychology studied the impact of various orientation procedures on employee job satisfaction, employee intent to remain with the organization, individual performance, and employee turnover.

Researchers collected data from over twelve thousand employees during their first week of employment and again after an average of six months on the job.

They found that three specific actions during orientation and the first few weeks on the job made a major difference:

  1. Introducing the new hire to his or her coworkers.
  2. Assigning a “mentor” to the new hire to touch base with the employee a couple of times a day during the first week of work.
  3. Giving the employee a written list of specific expectations for the job.

This research demonstrated clearly that employee orientation pays for itself in enhanced employee job satisfaction, reduced turnover, and higher levels of individual employee performance.

Source: Peter Scontrino, Scontrino & Associates, www.scontrinoandassociates.com