How to Onboard and Train New Hires During the COVID-19 Outbreak

As the global COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt traditional workplaces, remote work is becoming the new normal. While companies struggle to adapt, one hurdle is particularly challenging: How can a company onboard and train new employees during the outbreak? First, make sure all your processes are in order. Make sure documentation is up-to-date and that support structures are in place. "Even with chat tools like Slack, there is less ability to ask the person next to you where something is or how something is done at your organization," said Wally Nowinski, head of marketing at Collage, a work-from-home company. "The way you solve this is by ensuring all of your internal processes and projects are well documented and make keeping that documentation up-to-date a regular part of your work process." Make face-to-face introductions whenever possible using digital tools and encourage remote engagement. "When employees are physically distanced from their team members and managers, it can be easy for them to isolate themselves and disengage with others," Renato Profico, chief executive officer of Doodle said. "This is especially true for new hires who haven't had the chance to experience the company's culture quite yet."