The first day of a new job can be daunting for any employee. But for individuals in the temporary workforce, the first day can make or break their short-lived experience with that company.
While a temporary workforce may be motivated similarly to your full-time employees, there should be special attention given to these workers who are entering a worksite for the first time. Whether they are part of a regular influx of workers, or simply a one off hire, they are entering an unfamiliar space filled with unfamiliar faces.
A personal greeting at the point of arrival can be hugely important. A greeting that is waiting for them (as opposed to a wait in the lobby) can set the tone that there is a team and a set of tasks waiting for the worker to tackle.
Providing them with a short tour following their personal greeting helps to set the tone and inform them of important information all at once. The tour should cover the basics of work including:
- A tour of the facility and essentials such as the rest rooms, break rooms, and/or cafeteria
- Introduction to supervisors and co-workers
- An outline of what type of work they’ll be doing
- Any safety information
- Time for questions that the employee might have
This time is not just about pleasantries. It is an essential time to convey information on company policies, culture, safety protocols and more. Even if this information is covered elsewhere in the process, this is a chance to ensure that temporary workers have everything they need to do their jobs efficiently and safely.