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Obviously consideration needs to be given to
costs involved in induction. These comprise salary costs for time off job, materials costs, supervision costs, telecommunications costs etc. In this case, organisation has a very sound Wide Area Network (WAN), desktop PCs and video-conferencing facilities in each of its offices, so by using existing infrastructure, they can provide for all of these methods without additional expenditure.
Delivery Strategy
On first day of commencement, new starters will be assigned ‘Buddies’ from their work teams. Buddies will introduce new starters to key people and places they need to know about and give them Phase One Checklist to continue on days two through five.
On each of those days inductees will spend at least some of their day meeting Responsible People shown on their checklist. For example, one of Fire Wardens will show inductees where fire escape routes are and locations of fire hydrants and other safety apparatus.
The union representative will discuss union, its services and fees. Someone will run through process for booking, obtaining fuel, and maintaining company vehicles.
After they have obtained a login for their computer, inductees will be directed to Induction/Orientation Site where they will work through their Phase Two program while completing assigned tasks. Their first task will be to send an email to their Induction Officer advising that they have access to system and are ready to begin their induction program.
Some of tasks will require participation in video-conference sessions, discussion lists, and self-directed research among wealth of corporate policies, procedures etc available across corporate intranet. These tasks will have a problem-solving focus and a few will be closely related to their occupational group. For example, inductees who work in accounts payable section will be asked to find a procedure relating to accounts and to answer a specific question. This will familiarize them with Electronic Performance Support System and organisation’s policies and procedures.
Designated Induction Officers in each Australian State and Territory will monitor inductees’ progress. They will receive electronic notification when inductees complete online quizzes and email them when arranging video conferences or discussion lists to give them research and presentation tasks. Where practicable, subject matter experts will participate in video conferences and discussion groups to answer questions and give examples.
Conclusion
While all this may sound like hard work, once ‘inductionware’ is produced, tested and validated for reliability and user friendliness, it will be quite a simple process.
Like any human endeavour, outcomes will be determined by effort stakeholders make in implementation. The best designed induction system in world, on or offline will only work if key players become involved and remain involved.
This induction program will resolve numerous audit and employee criticisms about induction either not being done or being done poorly. And it should be completed just in time for Christmas.
© Robin Henry 2001
Robin is a human resources and development specialist with 20 years experience. He provides an online HRD advisory and epublication service and writes numerous articles for various magazines and organisations.
