Orientation Builds Employee Commitment - research by Ohio State University - Brief Article

Orientation programs for new employees may have a reputation for being boring and unhelpful, but an Ohio State University, Columbus, study suggests the right program can be very beneficial for workers and companies. Researchers found that new employees who completed a three-hour orientation program showed a higher level of commitment to their employer than did those who skipped the program.

The increased commitment resulted from the fact that those who attended had a better understanding of the organization's goals and values and knew more about its history than those who didn't go, explains Howard Klein, professor of management and human resources. "New employees are like recent immigrants to a country. They don't fully understand the language, history, or culture. A good orientation program helps workers better understand the organization and its goals, and feel more at ease in the culture--and that helps build commitment."

Klein points out that new hires have a lot to learn before they really feel a part of an organization and are able to become productive and contributing members. "There are a lot of things companies can do to assist in that adjustment, and orientation programs are one of the most common.... If employers want a committed workforce, a good orientation program is an important first step in developing that commitment."

A bonus of the program the researchers did not expect was that those who attended also reported more informal contact and social relationships with their co-workers than did those who didn't attend. Klein speculates that people who attended orientation sessions had more things in common that they could talk about, which helped facilitate relationships.

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