As an employer, the hiring process isn’t over once your new farm employee accepts the job offer. Proper integration and onboarding of that new hire is key to setting your farm employee up for success both in their role and for your operation.
Onboarding is not just about signing paperwork or showing new employees where to clock in; it's about setting the stage for a successful tenure on your farm. Let’s dive into four reasons onboarding is crucial to the success of your ag business.
Reduce Employee Turnover & Costs
Did you know that 30% of employees quit during the first 90 days of a new job? This means that those first three months of integrating your new farm hire are crucial to prioritize. Lack of proper onboarding can cause your farming operation to face more frequent employee turnover, costing you the expenses of recruitment, training, and resources, plus large amounts of lost time and productivity.
When new hires are properly integrated into their new role and place of work, they will know what is expected from them and feel better equipped to do their job. First impressions go a long way, and employees can get a good read on your operation simply by how you welcome and equip new hires.
2. Boost Employee Productivity
Onboarding your new employees will help boost productivity on the farm, too. When roles and responsibilities are clearly defined from the start, new farm employees can quickly grasp their tasks and hit the ground running to contribute their best work from the get-go.
When you throw your new farm hires into the deep end and assume they will figure out the job on their own, you’re likely to see more errors and downtime in their work.
Proper onboarding also allows new hires to feel more confident in their role, leading to higher levels of employee engagement and satisfaction, further driving productivity.
3. Stay Compliant
Onboarding is an ideal time to ensure your new farm employee is informed of regulations that impact their roles. Labor laws, safety standards, and environmental guidelines are just a few areas where compliance is non-negotiable. By incorporating regulatory training into the onboarding process, you can safeguard your farm against potential legal issues and financial penalties. From handling machinery safely to understanding their rights as an employee, a proactive approach to regulatory education fosters a safer, more efficient work environment on the farm.
4. Build a Stronger Company Culture
As part of the onboarding process, set your new employees up for success with the entire team by getting them up to speed with the culture of your operation. What are your company’s values, mission, and goals? What processes are unique to your farm or agribusiness? What is the team dynamic like?
Getting your new employees embedded into your farm’s culture will allow them to better contribute to the broader goals of the operation, build relationships with other team members, and thrive in their role overall. Allow your new hire to feel connected and purposeful as they transition into their new role on your farm.
Incorporating mentorship within your farm is a great way to strengthen your new employee onboarding and culture. Pair new hires up with more seasoned employees to help them learn and become more confident in their role.
Conclusion
The first days and weeks on the job set the course for a new farm employee. That’s why effective onboarding is important to ensure that employees are not only well-prepared for their roles but also motivated and engaged. Having a structured and comprehensive onboarding process will benefit both the employee and manager in their success.
AgHires can help start your onboarding off right by connecting you with quality candidates. We come from the heart of the agriculture industry, providing a vast network of top-tier ag professionals. We are dedicated to helping our clients find the ideal candidate swiftly and within budget. Connect with us to explore if we are the right partner for your agriculture recruiting needs.
For more onboarding tips and hiring advice, visit our Hiring Advice Blog.
