The onboarding of new members of an organisation can be a challenge in the best of times. We all know what our first day in a new job feels like… the unfamiliar surroundings coupled with new faces and unknown technology. It can make for an overwhelming combination.

These factors can often be more pronounced when employees need to be onboarded remotely as part of a virtual, multi-locational team. Unsurprisingly, one of the key danger points for organisations is the first year of a new hire’s employment. Research shows that when onboarding is done poorly, it can result in low engagement levels, inter-team conflict, low motivation, poor performance and high levels of staff turnover.

This workshop looks at some of the best practices to ensure smooth transitions for both the new team member and their manager. We provide practical input to help embed these practices in order to achieve a great experience for everyone involved.

Drawing on case studies and the latest social psychology and workplace research, the training is designed to offer managers and leaders knowledge, skills and the mindset shifts needed to connect with new employees and build the constructive relationships remotely that support inclusion, create alignment and produce real results in a virtual world.

Course structure

This course has 2 x 90 minute sessions. There is required pre-work in advance and work with colleagues after the sessions. You must be able to commit to all elements.

Who should attend

Anyone with responsibility for managing remote teams and/or individuals

Presenters: Beth Hood, Doron Davidson and Viv Bowra, Verosa Ltd

This online course uses blended learning to make the most of your time, focusing the live sessions on interaction, knowledge sharing and practice, and ensuring you have plenty of opportunities to embed learning on the job. Please note that you will need to complete all accompanying work and come to the session prepared and ready to engage with your colleagues.

The pre-work for this course will be available on Moodle approximately 2 weeks before the course date and will take approximately 45 minutes to complete.

Please log-in and self-enrol on Moodle, search for the course section named 'Supporting work for Management Curriculum courses (Workforce Development)'. Please scroll down the list of courses to find the title of the course. Click on the 'course name' to access all course materials you will need in advance of attending this course.

To view the full details in Moodle and any downloadable documents click on the main topic title (otherwise you may see an extract and documents may appear hidden).

By the end of the course you will be able to:

• Describe how to best support new team members in a virtual setting, helping them feel valued, valid and visible.
• Describe the opportunities and some of the challenges of remote communication and discover tools to help ensure that impact matches intention
• Use strategies, tools and techniques to educate and upskill new joiners, so that they become more productive more quickly
• Creating the climate and standards at an early stage that support open dialogue and constructive connectivity with the business
• Create an onboarding plan as a template for new joiners to their team.

• Builds a strong, cohesive and balanced team
• Delegates effectively with clear objectives and empowers decision making

Please note that attending the course does not provide evidence of achieving these behaviours; you will need to demonstrate them by applying your skills and knowledge.

Access online tools and support on-demand via the Development Toolkit, such as:

• Onboarding
• How Are You Settling In?

Discussing your learning and development with your line manager

We assume that if you need permission or agreement to attend this course you will have arranged this before booking, and have also jointly discussed the following with your line manager to ensure that the training is suitable and your learning can be transferred back to the workplace:

• how this training will help to deliver your individual/team goals
• the expected outcomes (i.e. what is expected to change/improve as a result)
• any support required post-course to enable you to transfer your learning back to the workplace

Your manager will receive an automated notification when you book or cancel a place on a course using ESS.

Book a place

You must book your place using Employee Self-Service (ESS). Places will be available to book on self-service up to 24 hours before the course, to allow for participants to complete the required pre-work. Download instructions on how to book your place using ESS.

The session will be delivered online. You will receive the 'zoom link' to the session within an automated email reminder, provided 1 week before the course date. If you have not used zoom previously, you are required to register. Information can be found here.

Please ensure you are set up ready for the virtual session '5 minutes before the course start time' and that you have switched your camera 'on' before joining the interactive session.

Please note that we do not hold a waiting list for this course.

Cancel your place

You can cancel your place using Employee Self-Service (ESS). Download instructions on how to cancel your place using ESS.

Please cancel your place as early as possible, and at least 3 days in advance, to allow others to book instead.