As all HR teams are having to adapt and explore new ways of working remotely, onboarding is one area where operations can be effectively maintained.
With digital tools and cloud-based services, remote working members of an HR team can keep managing and monitoring from wherever they have an online connection.
The current period of uncertainty provides HR managers with the change to review their processes and to futureproof processes say they can handle an environment in which remote working looks set to become a norm.
Here’s a look at how employee onboarding can be handled remotely:
Interviews
While movements are restricted, video conferencing allows HR teams to keep interviewing and communicating with candidates. Along with interviews, conferencing can be used for more informal ‘meet and greet’ sessions and allow candidates to get to know more about a role.
Candidate selection
From the moment a candidate is selected, the onboarding process begins. This covers everything that’s required to get the person started in the role.
A cloud-based management system such as Webonboarding handles this whole process virtually. Everything that a candidate needs is available to them via an online portal.
Each stage of the process can be managed and monitored from wherever an HR professional has an online connection – whether they’re based at home or a remote hub.
Contract handling
Traditionally, contracts and offer letters have had to be printed and posed with an ink signature required. An online approach allows documents to be securely signed with a digital signature.
This creates a fast and efficient process with candidates able to instantly access documents. If any changes are required or there’s a negotiation over terms, this can be dealt with quickly.
Compliance
Traditionally, many of the compliance tasks have been completed when new starters have arrived at the workplace. With future roles more likely to be remote, a cloud-based approach to onboarding allows this to be handled online and before job start.
Webonboarding enables HR teams to track in real-time when documents, such as a homeworker policy, are received by candidates with confirmations when they are read, understood and accepted.
Communications
The delays to the hiring process and the changes to business structures are particularly frustrating for candidates. They face being left in limbo and not knowing where they stand as events change.
Cloud-based management can help to tackle this by giving candidates clear info on exactly what’s happening. Real-time status updates and messaging can help to keep them engaged and feeling ‘in the loop’.
Experience
With onboarding handled remotely, the experience for candidates can be significantly improved. HR teams have the flexibility to provide new starters with any kind of content, help them to connect with the employer.
This can be a company video or links to social media accounts and company groups that help them to connect. Improving the experience reduces the risks of candidates dropping out.
Administration
A digitally connected onboarding system will help a remote HR team to manage all of the administrative tasks that are required for a new starter. For homeworking roles, this includes arranging for any required kit or infrastructure to be delivered.
Webonboarding automatically tracks each task with notifications and reminders sent to each person who needs to complete an onboarding related task – from setting up new accounts to ordering relevant equipment.
First day
Whether a new starter attends a workplace or is working remotely, an effective onboarding process reduces stress and makes sure that everything is ready and prepared.
With the main administrative tasks having already been handled, the first-day experience can focus more on making sure that new starter feels integrated and have everything they need to start their role.
Working together: Onboarding for the future
For those companies still rely on traditional methods, now is an ideal time to review processes and look for more flexible ways to handle new hire administration.
By switching to digital tools and cloud-based services, HR teams have the flexibility required to handle onboarding while working remotely. Not only can then continue to manage new hires, they can also do so faster and more efficiently than before.
