Remote Employee Onboarding Playbook – UPDATED 2022


Not only are they becoming more and more common as the workplace is changing, but remote teams have become a crucial focal point for organizations that yearn for growth and success in today’s world of business. 

And just like hiring the right talent is important to any business, the onboarding process is vital, even for remote employees.

But remote team onboarding can be a terrifying process, especially if you haven’t done it before. So how do you go about it? 

This guide covers several aspects of remote employee onboarding to help you build a strong team and ensure their smooth settling in!

What Is Employee Onboarding?

Simply defined, employee onboarding refers to the process through which a newly hired employee is taken through an orientation process and gets to learn the company’s processes, values, culture, structure, and much more.

During the process, the employee also receives “enablement” to help them conduct their roles effectively.

Remote Employee Onboarding 

Having remote employees means that the onboarding process has to be done virtually rather than face-to-face for every new hire. It comes with various challenges, including the fact that the new employee has to have certain tech equipment set up at their remote workstation.

They also have to be equipped with certain skills to help them navigate virtual communication with ease.

Tips For Onboarding Remote Workers 

1. Make Sure They Have the Right Equipment and Tools 

Your new hires must have the means to access the team’s shared files, meet other remote employees, communicate with them on messaging, and access different company platforms when they need to.

In addition to a computer, internet connection, and a webcam, your new employees will also need access to powerful tools that help make their onboarding process a breeze. Thankfully, there are several onboarding software platforms that you can choose from to help make their integration process smooth and easy.

Some of these tools can actually come in handy for HR companies looking to simplify their hiring processes and keep their employees engaged!

2. Schedule Your Onboarding Calls in Advance 

The new remote employees will be new to the process, so you don’t want to surprise them with something they’re not comfortable with. This is why it’s vital to schedule calls with them in advance and let them know what the call is about. 

This way, they can familiarize themselves with the purpose of the call and any ground rules that you have set up, including the scheduled time.

3. Assign A Buddy or Mentor

It’s a great idea to have your onboarding meetings with another employee in the company who can act as a mentor or buddy to the new hires.

Preferably, this buddy or mentor should be someone with more experience in the company, especially when it comes to interactions with remote team members and how they should interact with them.

This is a good way to first track your new employee’s integration process and ensure they’re happy being part of the team.

4. Be Intentional About Communication

Communication is among the most important things to ace when it comes to remote employee onboarding. And there are numerous ways to keep in touch with your team members, from video calls to instant messaging apps like Skype, and collaborative tools like Slack, Basecamp, and Asana.

Right from the word go, make sure you’re clear about the importance of communication throughout (and even after) the onboarding process!

5. Hold Regular Virtual Check-Ins 

Especially since the covid-19 pandemic struck, the number of remote workers in America and around the globe has spiked greatly over the years. The same can be said for the demand for virtual meetings on Zoom and other platforms amongst team members.

Now, having regular check-ins will help your new employees get to know each other’s work style while ensuring they communicate effectively. It’s also a way to ensure your new employees do not feel alienated at any point in the process.

Regular virtual check-ins also let you monitor how they’re doing and how they’re getting along with their teammates.

Onboarding remote employees can sometimes be a hectic process, but it doesn’t have to cause you nightmares.

Hopefully, the above few pointers will help make it a smooth sail for you as well as your new remote hires, so they can settle in and start carrying out their roles as fast and effectively as possible.