Adaptation of workers

Adaptation of new worker to the workplace is one of the tasks of the recruitment process. It should follow the selection stage. With psycho-social perspective, it involves adapting to new conditions or environment.

Thus adaptation of the employee can be called the introduction of newly recruited staff to the company, i.e. getting to know the organization, people who work in it and the tasks performed. The aim of the adaptation for newly recruited employee, is conflict-free inclusion in the organization and its social life, which in turn leads to the achievement of the desired performance standards.

New employees, often having a lot of knowledge and experience, are not able to work as effectively as their "older colleagues". This is due to different organizational cultures, systems for evaluation, organization goals, social norms and team rules. Often the obstacle can be also the stress associated with change.

The sooner company will proceed with adaptation of the employee, the sooner he reaches the required performance level, which is a benefit for the employee (satisfaction) and for the company (strong motivation to work and high efficiency of the staff, positive customer opinion).

Adaptation of workers in details

Adaptation of workers refers to the process of helping new employees adjust to their new roles, responsibilities, and work environment. It involves providing new employees with the necessary resources and support to help them understand the company's culture, values, and policies, as well as the expectations and requirements of their specific job roles.

The adaptation process typically begins with orientation and onboarding, which involve providing new employees with information about the company, its history, and its mission, as well as an introduction to company policies and procedures. This may include training on company systems and software, as well as an overview of the company's organizational structure and key personnel.

During the adaptation process, new employees may also receive mentoring or coaching from experienced colleagues, which can help them learn about the company's culture and work practices, as well as the specific skills and knowledge required for their job roles. Additionally, new employees may be given the opportunity to observe experienced workers in their roles, or to participate in job shadowing or apprenticeship programs.

The adaptation process can also include a period of probation, during which the employee's performance is monitored and evaluated, and opportunities for feedback and improvement are provided.

Adaptation process is an important aspect of the recruitment process that helps to ensure that new employees are able to quickly and effectively contribute to the company's goals, and that they feel engaged and satisfied with their new roles. It is also beneficial for the company as it helps to improve the efficiency and productivity of its workforce.

Examples of Adaptation of workers

1. Learning the company culture: Every workplace has its own culture and norms. New employees must learn to adapt to the workplace culture, such as dressing, communication style, and company values.
2. Engaging with coworkers: New workers must learn to engage with their coworkers, build relationships, and work collaboratively. They must learn to work as a part of a team and support each other.
3. Becoming familiar with the job: New employees must familiarize themselves with the tasks and responsibilities of the job. They should understand the job requirements and how to complete tasks efficiently.
4. Understanding the company processes: New employees must understand the company processes, such as how to fill out paperwork, the company's policies, and how the organization works.
5. Building new skills: New employees must be willing to learn and develop new skills in order to be successful in their role. They must be open to training and development opportunities.
6. Adapting to change: New employees must be able to adapt to change quickly and be flexible. The workplace is constantly changing, and new employees must be able to adjust to the changing environment.
7. Meeting expectations: New employees must meet the expectations of their role and strive to do their best work. They must be motivated and committed to the job.

Advantages of Adaptation of workers

Adaptation of new workers to the workplace is an important part of the recruitment process. Adaptation of workers has many advantages, such as:

• Improved work performance - When new workers adapt to their new workplace, they become more productive in their job, as they can understand the company's policies and procedures.
• Team spirit - When workers are able to adapt to their new workplace, they are more likely to form positive working relationships with their colleagues, which can help to increase team spirit and morale.
• Better job satisfaction - Adapting to a new workplace can help new workers to feel more comfortable and secure, leading to a higher level of job satisfaction.
• Increased commitment - Adapting to a new workplace can also lead to a higher level of commitment from new workers, as they become more familiar with the company's values and goals.
• Improved retention - Workers who are able to successfully adapt to their new workplace are more likely to stay with the company for a longer period of time, leading to improved retention rates.

Limitations of Adaptation of workers

Adaptation of new workers to the workplace can be limited by several factors, such as:

• The personality of the worker, which may be incompatible with the workplace environment. This can lead to resistance to change and difficulty in establishing relationships with colleagues.
• The worker's unfamiliarity with the workplace. This can lead to a lack of knowledge about the corporate culture and failure to understand the expectations of the employer.
• The worker's lack of experience in the particular field. This can result in a lack of technical understanding and an inability to adapt quickly to the working environment.
• Poor communication between the worker and the workplace. This can lead to misunderstandings and a lack of trust between the worker and the employer.
• The lack of support from the employer. This can lead to a lack of understanding of the worker's needs and an inability to provide guidance or assistance.

Other approaches related to Adaptation of workers

Adaptation of new workers to the workplace is one of the tasks of the recruitment process. It should follow the selection stage. With psycho-social perspective, it involves adapting to new conditions or environment. Other approaches related to the adaptation of workers include:

• Coaching and Mentoring: Coaching and mentoring are activities aimed at providing guidance and support to the new employee during their transition to the new environment. This includes providing helpful advice and tips on how to handle workplace challenges, introducing them to other team members, and helping them adjust to the new culture.
• On-the-Job Training: On-the-job training helps the new employee learn about the company’s products, policies and practices. This type of training also allows the new employee to learn the skills necessary to perform their job effectively.
• Orientation Program: An orientation program is designed to help the new employee acclimate to the company’s culture. This includes providing information about the company’s expectations, procedures, and job requirements.
• Employee Engagement Activities: Employee engagement activities are designed to help the new employee build relationships with other team members. These activities can include team building exercises, ice breakers, and other activities designed to create an inclusive environment.

Summary

In summary, the adaptation of new employees to the workplace is an important aspect of the recruitment process that focuses on helping them smoothly integrate into the organization and its culture, systems, and goals. It involves introducing new employees to the company, its people, and tasks, and helping them navigate any differences between their previous work experiences and the new environment. By addressing these issues early on, companies can ensure that new employees quickly reach the desired level of performance, which benefits both the employee and the company by promoting satisfaction and motivation, and increasing efficiency and positive customer opinion.

Adaptation of workers — recommended articles

Adaptation process — Career pathing — Skills transfer — Promotion policy — Culture and QMS implementation — Displacement of employees — Motivation system — Organizational development — Job characteristics — Information

References

• Reio, T. G., & Sutton, F. C. (2006). Employer assessment of work‐related competencies and workplace adaptation. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 17(3), 305-324.