Welcome! Creating an Effective New Employee Orientation Program at Kansas State Libraries

Abstract

Investment in individual success is essential to the health of any organization regardless of size, type, or mission. When a person enters a new job, the earliest days and weeks ptovide an opportune time to lay the groundwork for eventual success; thus, working as an organization to ensure that new employees feel welcome should be a top priority. By taking the time to properly acculturate an incoming hire to the work environment, the organization provides the tools not only for his or her daily tasks but also for career achievements and contributions to the organization. Having invested time, energy, money, and forward planning into hiring employees, it is vital to sustain this investment with equal orientation resources, and take care in preparing for a new employee's first day on the job. In return, the organization win benefit from a workforce that is motivated, well informed, and communally invested in accomplishing even the largest of goals. Kansas State Libraries (KSL) is one such organization, committed to making a strong initial investment in its new employees through development of a new employee orientation program. Designed and implemented by three current employees who sought to address some of the unique needs of the organization, KSL:s program stands out as a simple and effective orientation plan that increases communication, strengthens the organization's identity, and should ultimately improve retention rates. This orientation program provides early support, guidance, and the basic tools necessary to strengthen the foundation upon which new hires build their careers. The program's aims were to establish a consistent, organization-wide orientation program that would: