Streamlined orientation experience greets new employees

New UNC Charlotte employees are experiencing a novel, online orientation process. The traditional two-day training has been replaced with a half-day in-person session focused on welcoming new employees, providing a campus tour and introducing them to the online onboarding course in Canvas. University representatives are on hand to provide support in benefits selections. This new model went into effect July 11.

“We collected feedback from previous orientation participants who told us they enjoyed the class but felt a bit overwhelmed by so much information in such a short time frame. We also heard from managers that having their new employees out of the office for two full days was burdensome after already waiting to fill a needed position,” said Alyson Ebaugh, director of learning and organizational development, whose office is responsible for new employee orientation. “We knew we had to make a change.”

The new, online course covers six modules in Canvas, the University’s learning management system, and it allows participants to work at their own pace. The module topics include the history and culture of the University, employee benefits, campus safety and security, personal safety and mutual respect, institutional integrity and how to be involved on campus. The Canvas modules also include monthly checklists for employees and their managers to provide consistency and structure to the departmental onboarding process.

Another new addition to the employee orientation experience is a series of Campus Connections, opportunities for each orientation cohort to reconnect with each other throughout the year and learn more about campus. The idea for the events came from a project team in the 2015 Leadership Experience course.

“Our research found that onboarding programs that provided opportunities to develop strong social connections on campus could lead to higher employee retention, performance and engagement,” said Mary Welsh, business officer in the College of Arts + Architecture, whose team was responsible for the project.

As a result of the team’s research, several Campus Connections are integrated into the new onboarding course:

• After 60 days – a guided tour of the Popp Martin Student Union and a meal voucher for use at a campus dining facility
• After 90 days – a guided tour of campus athletic facilities and a free ticket for a football or basketball game
• After 120 days – a guided tour of Belk Gym and a five-day access voucher
• After one year – a reception for new employees and managers to celebrate a successful first year

“I’m very excited about this new approach,” said Krista Collins, a learning and organizational development specialist who worked with campus partners for more than a year to build the course. “Based on feedback from pilot users, we think it’s going to have a positive impact on employee engagement.”

To learn more about the new, online onboarding course, visit the Learning and Organizational Development website.

Photo: Campus contributors recently gathered to celebrate the launch of the streamlined, online new employee orientation program. The course uses a cruise theme to “welcome aboard” new employees.