What Is Included In the Onboarding Process?

Onboarding is a long process that can take several months—even up to a full year—for employees to take a fully active role in the company. In most cases, onboarding employees focuses on their development from start to finish. A few of the most important onboarding process steps include introducing the company’s values and goals, reviewing any official operations and procedures, and building connections with their managers and coworkers.

While non-desk employee onboarding can include things like paperwork, it is also so much more—it’s about adjusting new employees to their work environment and the company as a whole. And good onboarding is essential. In fact, strong onboarding programs have been shown to increase employee retention by as much as 82%.

So what does the employee onboarding process include for non-desk workers, and what steps should you take to make your new non-desk employees feel welcome and comfortable in their new roles?

What Should an Onboarding Process Include for Non-Desk Employees?

While the non-desk employee onboarding process can take several months, it’s always best to be prepared before bringing on a new team member—especially when they aren’t in the office. What is an example of a good onboarding process? Onboarding employees should include the following steps:

Step 1: The Offer and Pre-Onboarding

Once the new-hire accepts your offer, you should have onboarding documents prepared to send via email, SMS, or to be filled out in person. These materials include contracts, handbooks, and tax forms—among other things. In addition to meeting legal requirements, having the right onboarding paperwork can help new hires adjust to their new work environment. A few questions new non-desk employees might be looking for in the paperwork include:

• What is their role, and what are their responsibilities?
• How much will they be paid in their role?
• Who is their supervisor, or what person do they reach out to for help?
• What are the company’s rules and regulations?

Ultimately, the initial offer and pre-onboarding should introduce the new employee to the company—and their coworkers—and answer any high-level questions.

Step 2: Ready Their Tools

For non-desk employees in particular, there is no need to set up an individual workspace in the office. However, any tools or accessories they need, like a uniform, should be ready and available for them on their first day. A smooth transition—and feeling welcomed—into a new position is a really important part of retention. That’s the first step in integrating new talent. With solutions like Yourco, you can ensure your non-desk worker is set up with direct communication and other training materials through SMS texts.

Step 3: Plan Out the First Day, Week, and Month

Your new employees need a schedule to make sure they’re getting all of the training and support they need during their first few months on the job. This includes things like welcoming them on their first day or scheduling 1-on-1 meetings with management. You should also consider providing them with a mentor, who can help guide them through their first few months and answer any on-site questions. If you continue to check in with employees and provide them with the necessary resources, they will have a better time adjusting to their role—and the company.

Step 4: Keep an Open Door Policy

If your new employees know they can talk to you at any time, they’ll feel more comfortable with asking questions or voicing concerns they might have. Not only does this ensure that every member of the team is able to successfully carry out their responsibilities, but it also encourages an environment of trust and confidence.

Is Onboarding the Same as Hiring?

No, onboarding and hiring are different. The hiring process includes posting the job, reviewing resumes, and interviewing candidates. Onboarding happens after someone is hired—or signed the offer letter—and includes the processes necessary to get employees acclimated to their new position. 

What Is the Purpose of Onboarding Non-Desk Employees?

Every employee, whether they have an office space or are considered a non-desk hire, needs to be onboarded. This is essential to making sure they feel welcome in their new position, as well as giving them the confidence to do their job well. With non-desk employees, they’re often working in situations that include heavy machinery or hazardous worksites. Without the proper onboarding of new employees and maximizing success, new employees might find it difficult to properly manage their new responsibilities—and maintain their safety. Plus, all employees deserve to feel welcome at their new place of work.

Onboard Non-Desk Employees with Ease

Using Yourco, you can onboard new employees and complete their paperwork with the help of SMS text messaging. Your conversations with employees are all located on an easy-to-use dashboard, so you can reach your new hires no matter where they are. Whether you need to send documents or simple onboarding messages, Yourco gives you the ability to connect without requiring your employees to pay for data plans or even have an internet connection. If you’d like to try Yourco for your non-desk employees, try for free today and contact us for demo.