Onboarding: A Shared Responsibility Beyond HR

By Julie Goh

When it comes to onboarding new employees, the responsibility should not rest solely on the shoulders of the HR Department. While HR plays a crucial role in facilitating the process, onboarding should be viewed as a shared responsibility involving multiple stakeholders within the company. Let’s look at the benefits of a collaborative approach in onboarding new employees.

The Role of HR in Onboarding: HR departments traditionally oversee the onboarding process by providing essential information, conducting orientation sessions, and ensuring compliance with policies and procedures. While these tasks are important, effective onboarding goes beyond administrative functions. HR professionals set the foundation for a successful onboarding experience, but other team members should actively contribute to the process.

Managers as Onboarding Champions: Managers play a critical role in the onboarding journey. As direct supervisors, they are in the best position to provide guidance, set expectations, and offer support to new hires. Managers should take an active role in introducing the company's culture, values, and team dynamics. They can assign mentors or buddies to help new employees navigate their roles and establish relationships within the company. By fostering a positive and inclusive environment, managers contribute significantly to new employees' integration and long-term success.

Peer Engagement and Collaboration: Colleagues and peers can greatly influence the onboarding experience. Encouraging team members to actively engage with new hires creates a welcoming atmosphere. Peer-to-peer support helps alleviate the anxieties and challenges commonly associated with starting a new job. By involving team members in the onboarding process, companies foster a sense of belonging and promote knowledge sharing, collaboration, and camaraderie.

Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Onboarding is not limited to a single department or team. It involves various stakeholders across different functions. Collaboration between HR, IT, facilities management, and other relevant departments is essential to ensure a seamless onboarding experience. IT should ensure that necessary equipment and systems are set up promptly, while other departments can assist with other arrangements, such as workspace, uniforms etc. By involving multiple departments, companies demonstrate their commitment to supporting new employees from all angles.

The Importance of Company Values: Onboarding provides an opportunity to introduce new hires to the company's culture, values, and mission. It is a shared responsibility to cultivate a positive culture. All employees, regardless of their role, should embody the company’s values and act as ambassadors. By aligning the onboarding process with the company's culture and values, companies create an authentic and immersive experience that fosters employee engagement and loyalty.

Onboarding is more than a task to be accomplished by the HR department alone. It is a collective effort that involves managers, peers, and various departments across the organisation. By embracing a shared responsibility approach to onboarding, companies can create a comprehensive and impactful experience for new employees. When everyone actively participates in onboarding, it leads to smoother integration, accelerated productivity, and increased employee satisfaction. Remember, successful onboarding is a team effort that contributes to the long-term success of both the individual and the company.