Orientations are a critical process in integrating employees into the organization. They assist with employee retention, stating clear job expectations and help sustain the employee's level of enthusiasm. Orientation programs familiarize new employees with their roles, the job, and the department in which they will be working with their new coworkers. An employee's integration into the organization begins on the first day of work and continues over a period of three months, typically labelled as the probationary period.

Orientation Programs benefit both employees and the employer.

Employee Benefits:

• Provide clear expectations of employee's role and responsibilities, which results in a higher success rate of the new employee\'s performance from day one
• Affords employee the opportunity to get acquainted with coworkers, work site, office protocol, and policies and procedures

Employer Benefits:

• Increase in employee retention and commitment, resulting in lower turnover rates thereby saving costs of having to re-hire and train another candidate
• Quicker ramp up time in learning new position, which increases productivity levels and sustains employee morale and enthusiasm for the role
• Assist with time management so the employer and employee focus on job expectancies without spending excessive time on the culture and other organizational requirements

To implement an effective Orientation Program, a plan should be laid out and followed by both the employer and employee. This plan sets forth how time is spent on the first day, over the first week, and continues within the probationary period. The plan, if followed and monitored regularly, provides performance management and ensures employees are conducting themselves in a manner that will guarantee success in their new position.

In their first day or week of employment, new employees are provided with the following critical information:

·  Employment agreement and job description

·  Organizational history including the Mission, Vision and Goals

·  Company Policy and Procedures

·  Benefits information

·  Introduction to coworkers

·  Tour of facilities/office site

·  Reporting structure and organizational model

·  Acceptable standards of performance and work schedule

·  Safety and Security

With larger organizations, the morning of an employee's first day would typically be spent with a representative from human resources. In smaller sized organizations, this responsibility may fall on the owner/operator or the immediate manager. This individual would orient the employee to their work location/desk and would also provide any information necessary with regard to company policies, procedures, work hours, employee benefits, etc. Management would be responsible for explaining the process of monitoring the three-month probationary review with new employees.

The manager is also responsible for ensuring new employees are properly oriented to the specifics of their work and job description. Specifying performance expectations and how this is to be reviewed within the first week of employment can better prepare the employee and establish clear parameters.

Orientation Programs establish the employee's first impressions of both the organization and the people with which they will be working. It allows the new employee to get a jump-start on their career, without interrupting the efficient operation of the organization.