Think about good onboarding for the factory and logistics!

The new colleague in the office can usually count on flowers and a coffee moment with the team. With a bit of luck, there's even an onboarding program ready that sounds like a bell. But what about that in the workplace? Unfortunately, that's often just a firm handshake, and on with production.

That's a shame. Good onboarding is also very important in a factory or logistics company. Even if it's just about the security risks and the cultural and language differences that occur more there than in an average office. That is why we would like to take you into the how and why of onboarding from your new production employee or driver.

What is onboarding actually?‍

Onboarding is the intake process that introduces a new employee to the organisation. In our view, good things go onboarding much further than the often somewhat dusty onboarding program that used to be waved about when a new colleague came in.

Bee onboarding make sure that an employee really gets on board with your organisation. He or she is immersed in the company culture, understands how things work and how to interact with each other. In short: the new colleague integrates completely into the company.

Why is onboarding so important?‍

Especially with the current labor market, good employees are hard to look for with a magnifying glass. This is true in just about every industry and at every level. So once you've hooked that coveted new colleague, you naturally don't want him or her to disappear just as quickly.

Onboarding can make an important difference in retaining those valuable employees, according to various studies.

Do you make sure you have a good one onboarding, then:

• the new employee gets a familiar and warm feeling, which increases the chance that the colleague will remain employed in the long term by no less than 18 times;
• colleagues are 30 times more satisfied with the new job;
• productivity increases because employees integrate faster, are more efficient and have less stress;
• the newcomer's connection to the organisation increases by 89% and with the team even by 91%.

Onboarding is important for everyone‍

Let's be honest: it doesn't matter if you're working in the office, in a factory, hospital or on a (lift) truck.

That first day of work is exciting for everyone, and every new employee is an asset that should be cherished.

So why a blog specifically about the importance of a good one? onboarding for people in the workplace? Just to mention a few aspects, because:

• in a factory or logistics environment, the focus is more often on tight deadlines, production peaks and achieving production figures;
• in the workplace, people with a diverse cultural background;
• in a factory or logistical environment, colleagues are more likely to work with a lower language proficiency;
• there are more likely to be dangerous work situations and associated risks in the workplace.

Therefore, pay extra attention to putting together the onboarding program for colleagues in a factory or other logistical or production environment when it comes to:

• opportunities for social interaction and connection
• language and knowledge level
• mutual communication
• safety and health
  

Of course, we have a few more tips:

1. A joint introduction day

Have you hired several new employees in a short time? Invite them to a special introduction day together. This is not only practical, it also creates a special bond between colleagues. After all, they are all in the same awkward boat.

This day, for example, includes the history of the company, but also the house rules, such as reporting sick and recovering, requesting vacation, distributing corporate clothing, the use of safety equipment, telephone use and training opportunities, to name just a few examples.

Make it an informative but also fun day, with plenty of room for mutual conversations.

Also, take a tour of the company, introducing you to support departments that are important to everyone, such as HR, Payroll, Works Council and Facilities.

2. Personal online onboarding program

Such a first period with a new employer is very intensive. And as much as the introduction day is fun, some information may not stick around immediately. Therefore, make sure that the most important elements of the introduction day can be read at a quieter time. Of course, this is possible on a general intranet site, but it is even better to give the employee access to a personal online onboarding program that is completely focused on their own educational and language levels.

Use a modular Learning Management System for the onboarding of new employees, then you can go in any direction. You can then easily take into account, for example, the existing level of knowledge, but also incorporate lessons in other languages into the onboarding program if necessary. Make access to the knowledge modules as accessible as possible. An app that is suitable for use on a phone is the most ideal. Not everyone has a laptop or computer at their disposal at home or at work.

The great thing is that the online onboarding can even start before the actual first day of work.

For example, together with the employment contract, send a welcome card with a link or QR code to the onboarding modules.

3. Pair a buddy with your new colleague

Especially in an environment with production peaks and deadlines, personal attention is a must to make someone feel at home. It is therefore a good idea to link a regular colleague to the new employee, who can explain the ins and outs of the production process and answer any questions.

Of course, make sure you have enough time and space for both the buddy as the new colleague. For example, it helps to set a fixed time during the first working weeks to catch up in a quiet environment.

That doesn't have to be too complicated. Preferably not, because that can just raise the threshold for daring to ask questions. Just half an hour with a cup of coffee is often enough.

4. You build up knowledge and skills step by step

Especially with more complicated production processes, it is smart not to throw the new colleague in the deep end all at once. Build employability step by step and regularly evaluate how you like the work and check if there are still any uncertainties. Do you notice that it takes a little more effort for someone to get up to speed? Ask them what they need and look for a suitable solution together.

The aforementioned modular online onboarding program can also offer a solution here. Make full use of the multimedia options. Check the knowledge gained, for example, with a pub quiz or other gamification.

Visualise parts of a safety procedure or production process with an instructional video that can be viewed over and over again.

This also includes the use of a foreign-speaking colleague, who explains important things clearly in a video. That often works better than pieces of written text!

5. Make it cozy

Good onboarding is about connection and belonging. That is mainly a matter of feeling. So it can also be fun! Organise regular fun team outings, where you can also meet other colleagues in an informal setting. Are there employees from different countries working in a team? Let everyone take turns preparing a delicious lunch with dishes from their own culture.

Or just make sure you have a good stroopwafel with coffee, or ice cream when it's summer. Sometimes it doesn't have to be that complicated to provide just that important extra bit of job satisfaction!

Need more tips about onboarding?‍

We can certainly help you! Contact us to plan a small brainstorming session.