Report Says Federal Agencies Need Better Welcome Wagon for New Employees

A new report released by the Partnership for Public Service and Booz Allen Hamilton says that in order to increase employee retention and workplace productivity, federal agencies should improve how they bring new employees onboard and how they are integrated into the workplace culture. Onboarding, the process of familiarizing new hires with their new workplace requirements and responsibilities, is rarely used as a retention tool. Federal agencies also fail to flesh out employee orientation programs beyond requiring new employees to read policy manuals, fill out tax forms, and other menial tasks.

Developing well planned, consistent, and high quality onboarding and orientation programs can pay off in the long run. Such effective programs lead to increased employee productivity and performance, as well as reduced employee turnover.

Once an employee accepts a job offer, employers should reach out to new employees and prepare for their arrival. During the first quarter of a new employee’s tenure at a company, managers should both give and request employee feedback and provide adequate training to new employees. New employees should receive recognition, formal feedback, and a development plan throughout their first year of employment.

Federal agencies, like all employers, need to understand that new employee orientation and onboarding is a continuous process that begins before the employee begins working and continues throughout his or her term of employment.