Message #67009

[raindance]

My company is small, so some of the procedures that a larger company might have, such as group induction, aren't really relevant.

Here's what we do:

1. Before the person begins work, the Director of the relevant department (i.e where the person will be working) sends round an email and asks us to book time with the new member of staff for induction;
2. Desk/office is prepared in the week before the person starts;
3. Person arrives on appointed day and is shown to desk/office by the office manager or the Director of the department (whoever is in the offices early that day);
4. Person meets with their Director and then taken round to be introduced to colleagues;
5. Person starts meeting up with colleagues - all colleagues in turn and no-one is missed out, so this bit may take a couple of weeks or so.  These meetings are half-hour  slots to provide information about the work of each department, how they interact, and how colleagues' work interacts with that of others;
6. Person has induction into own job with Director of department or outgoing colleague if we have one (we have created some new posts recently so no outgoing person);
7. Person will also have appointments with people from our Board of Directors (not the same as Directors of Departments);
8. At some point fairly soon after arrival (usually on the day of arrival) person is given contract and copy of staff policies (huge great file), bank details, contact details, next of kin details etc are taken.  

Sounds a bit Byzantine, but it works and we're a very happy bunch on the whole.

In response to your specific questions - I've probably answered numbers 1 to 6 above.  

7. Are you helpful in answering a new start's questions 8-12 weeks into the job?  Why would I not be "helpful"?  A colleague is a colleague and we have the same objectives: furthering the company's business.  I'm still helpful to people after 10 years.  Except when I'm not.

8. Do you network with that new start or introduce them to their peers so they can network together?  Not sure I really understand what "network" means.  Do I speak with them?  Yes, always.  Everyone here speaks to everyone - greetings morning and evening, friendly chat about things not connected with work, polite and professional conversations about things to do with work - that's how we operate.  

Does it ever go pear-shaped and we argue?  Occasionally, yes, but stuff happens and you never know what pressures someone has in their workload.  "My" burning question to our bean counters about something may be the very last straw to them when they are finalising the monthly management accounts.

I guess what I'm driving at is we have to get along with each other and one must never underestimate the forbearance others extend to us.  

With reference to your grouchy secretary that you mention - maybe she wanted to apply for your job and didn't get it.  Maybe the chemistry isn't good and she isn't good at hiding it.  If I were in your place, I would make a point of being exceptionally friendly towards her; you never know - she might end up being your best buddy.