Revamping the Employee Onboarding Process at Steklarna Hrastnik

 

Steklarna Hrastnik recognized that the experience of new employees during their initial days and months is critical for their long-term productivity and job satisfaction. A poor onboarding experience can demotivate even the best candidates, leading to early departures.

To address this, the management decided to completely overhaul the onboarding process.

Understanding Bottlenecks: The Research Phase

The project began with extensive research, gathering feedback from both new employees and department heads regarding the existing onboarding procedures. The analysis revealed key areas needing improvement, which informed the optimization of the entire process.

Key Improvements:

1. Structured Communication and Information Sharing:
   A detailed communication plan was introduced, starting from the candidate's selection notification through to their first day on the job. This systematic approach helps new employees understand what to expect, reducing uncertainty and anxiety.

2. Welcome Package and Personal 'Buddy':
   The first day at the company is now carefully structured. Each new employee is assigned a personal 'buddy'—a colleague who assists them in acclimating to their new environment. Additionally, they receive a welcome package, reinforcing their value as a team member from day one.

3. Involvement of Department Heads and HR:
   The onboarding process now sees greater involvement from department heads and HR throughout. Checklists and standardized procedures ensure that no step is overlooked. Department heads and HR collaborate closely to provide a seamless and personalized onboarding experience for every new hire.

4. First Week Focus:
   The first week is dedicated to meeting colleagues, understanding the company's leadership, and learning the basic operations. HR conducts a feedback session over an informal lunch at the end of the first week, where the new employee can share their initial impressions and suggestions for improvement.

5. Mentorship, Rotation, and Ongoing Training:
   The onboarding process includes department rotations, planned training sessions, mentorship, and regular feedback from supervisors. This approach enables new employees to integrate quickly and effectively into their roles, while also fostering a strong sense of support and belonging. The rotation program, in particular, has significantly enhanced the new hires' understanding of the company’s various functions and strengthened their sense of community.

Stellar Feedback and Integration Outcomes

The revamped onboarding process has delivered outstanding results. The average satisfaction rating among new employees is an impressive 4.85/5, indicating that the new improvements have significantly contributed to a positive start to their careers at Steklarna Hrastnik.

New hires praised the structured process, the support they received, and the overall company atmosphere. The one-week rotation across departments was especially highlighted as a key factor in enhancing their understanding of the company and facilitating quicker integration into the team.