Orientation or Induction is the first important step in the process of human resource management.It involves familiarisation of the newly appointed employees to the work environment of the organisation as well as to the fellow employees. Induction is a socialising process by which the organisation seeks to make an individual its agent for the achievement of its objectives. The new employees should be oriented to the organisation and to its policies, rules and regulations. An induction or orientation programme is designed to achieve the following objectives:-
- To build up the new employee's confidence in the organisation and in himself so that he may become an efficient employee.
- To develop among the newcomers a feeling of loyalty towards the organisation.
- To foster a close and cordial relationship among the employees.
- To ensure that the new employees do not form a false impression and negative attitude towards the organisation or the job.
- To give the employees the necessary information like facilities, rules etc about the organisation.
Generally, the process of orientation begins by taking the new employees around the factory and offices of the company. The supervisor gives new employees' introduction to the fellow employees and provides the immediately needed information about others as well as about the organisation, so that he feels comfortable in the new surroundings. Lectures and discussions may be arranged to provide the necessary information and guidance. Handbooks,manuals and pamphlets may also be supplied for the orientation of the new employees. The information provided to the new employees, during the orientation process may include:-
- Brief history of the Company
- Operations and products of the company
- Company's organisational structure
- Location of departments and employee facilities
- Personnel policies and practices
- Rules and regulations
- Employee activities
- Grievance procedure
- Safety measures
- Standing orders.
This orientation programme should not be very lengthy and it need not necessarily be given on the same day when the employees join the organisation. It may be given formally after some time. Also, in case of small firms, the induction programme is likely to be more informal and of short duration. While, in big organisations,it is more of the formal types and of longer duration which may extend upto two to four weeks.
Orientation programmes may also be in the form of providing induction training to the new employees where they are familiarised with the work environment and the fellow employees; the new employees are taught basic techniques or methods to do the work for which they are recruited, etc.
The Training Division of Department of Personnel and Training under Ministry of Personnel,Public Grievances and Pensions administers induction training programmes for newly recruited employees.
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