How to Onboard Temporary Workers

"You never get a second chance to make a first impression." —Will Rogers

The onboarding process is your opportunity to make a positive first impression with your new hires. It sets the tone for their personal entire employment experience. It's essential to ensure everyone feels welcomed, informed, and appreciated right from the beginning.

The above is just as true with temporary workers. No matter how long or short a temp will be with your company, they deserve to feel the same way. Feeling like they are equally part of the team encourages productivity and contribution. On the flip side, a poor onboarding process leads to disorientation and a lack of clarity on the specificities of their role. And it can be challenging for temp workers to integrate quickly into a company before they have to leave again. Here are some tips to help you onboard a temp worker quickly and effectively.

Before They Start

Being well-prepared for your temp workers is vital to a successful onboarding process. Have a plan for the big day, and ensure you have an Employee Handbook ready to go.

The Handbook should include things like:

• Workplace Safety
• Company Policies
• Procedures and Guidelines

Inform all respective departments who is joining the team and what they can expect the temp's role to be. On a practical note, prepare the temp's desk or workspace, ensuring that their computer or other tools are ready for them; not much is worse than arriving at your new desk with everything in disarray.

And since things happen best from the top down, ensure your entire C-Suite is on point and ready to make the temp feel welcome on their first day.

When They Arrive

When the new temp arrives, take the time to introduce them to their team or department and any other key players in the company. Do your best to make them feel welcome and include an introductory gift. (Gift baskets, company swag, or gift cards to local restaurants are just a few ideas.) Go over their duties and discuss your expectations for them. Clarity is important. Spend extra time relaying the company's vision, goals, and values. Casting a vision for the company's future, regardless of how long they will be on your team, helps a temp feel like they are part of something bigger. Assign them a buddy or a mentor, and encourage them to get to know one another.

It Doesn't Stop There

Creating a supportive environment that will enrich the lives of all new employees, temporary or not, takes time and is an ongoing process. And it doesn't start and stop on day one. Maintain consistent communication with your temp workers, checking in with them often. Not micro-managerially, but offering your help and guidance if needed. Ask for their input and encourage full participation by recognizing and affirming their effort.

Build the right teams right from the start. At Career Concepts, we match the best people with the best employers. "The right people. The right job." It's been our motto for over 50 years! Contact us today, and let's get started!