New Hire Orientation - Waste of Time?
If you have been reading my latest blogs, you know that I have recently started a new job. And with a new job at a large institution or corporation comes a new hire orientation.
As I was spacing out during the most recent video installment of this particular institution’s history, it dawned on me that orientation is not necessarily the most effective way to integrate a new employee to a company’s culture. It is certainly a nice gesture for the executives and top management to speak to the group about customer service and how great the company/institution is to work at.
But c’mon. Can you really capture a company’s work ethic, culture, positives, negatives, and more in a few hours or days (depending on how much time is allocated)? The answer is no. The majority of new hire orientation is spent droning on about benefits, retirement, and why this is the best company you will ever work for.
Which begs the question: Why are companies desperately seeking approval from their new employees to buy into the 'best-company-to-work-for theory?'
Why are companies devoting time, energy, and resources almost trying to CONVINCE the new hires of what a great place this is to work.
I just started. I am already the most grateful and happy employee that you have. But when you spend three hours of my orientation selling me some bogus motto, it makes me wonder why you are trying so hard.
Anyone else with me? I know that most people aren’t necessarily starting new jobs, but dig back deep to your own new hire orientation. Knowing what you know today about your workplace, was your orientation more of a warning then you initially realized?
Lauren Kleinman
Reader Comments (8)
I wish I had the guts at a new job to say, "I already know enough about the company to start. Fill me in on the rest later."
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Matt
I'm on board Ben E.
But seriously, maybe we should add up the wasted money and resources for new hire orientations for banks receiving bail out money. Because really once you are receiving money in the bail-out, how can you sell your company to your one new hire you were allowed to bring on for the year?
To be fair, though, I did learn a few things. Like that the company had a one time/year health care benefit that I was 100% eligible for, being a December hire, that would start over again in January. So basically she handed me $300 I would have otherwise missed out on.
I'll call it a win.
That is both sad and funny. I couldn't imagine going to work for XYZ bank when they are failing and then they pull out the orientation video that says how wonderful they are. If they were really that great, they wouldn't be sucking wind!
@ Duane
Sweet deal. I know my company offers a benefit for those that choose not to take health insurance through the corporate vendors. It is something like $50/month, so I am considering hopping onto my wife's benefit plan next year.
I second that notion of taking the PDF and running. Plus, there's too much to absorb all in one sitting, so you're correct that it's a waste of time.