Remote onboarding can make or break the employee experience. Make it effective, and new hires will feel like welcome additions to the force. Do it the other way, and they’ll feel like lost explorers on their first day. The latter is the usual case when IT and HR teams are not aligned.
Here’s the case: first impressions last. If there are delays and missing (or incorrect) IT equipment, people may well feel that you’re taking them seriously.
But onboarding doesn’t have to be that way. Human resources and info-tech teams should unite like a rock band, just with less hair, smarter clothes (or not—check out our Pajamas to Productivity article), and tools like IT asset management software. Talk about a rock-solid alliance.
Building the Case: Why HR and IT Teams Must Collaborate
Successful collaboration between these departments is the secret behind onboarding processes that are both efficient and engaging. Here’s why HR and IT should join forces:
- HR acts as the welcome committee, introducing new employees to company culture. That first impression can be critical. Want to make it impressive? Ensure new hires find all necessary IT assets and components ready and waiting, wherever they’re onboarding from.
- Collaborative efforts pave the way for seamless processes. That equates to synchronized paperwork and tech requirements, which reduce unnecessary holdups.
- By working together, HR and IT create a single, cohesive system that prevents valuable information from becoming stuck in departmental silos.
- A tandem approach allows HR and IT to anticipate and address potential issues before they arise. It also ensures that new hires receive proper guidance on cybersecurity best practices for safe use of their shiny IT hardware.
If the collaborative measures succeed, a company is more likely to achieve successful remote onboarding, which can actually increase the chances of retaining new hires by 82%.
Remote Onboarding Bloopers: Reel of Hilarious Happenings
Let’s look at some of the most common nightmare scenarios people face during the onboarding process.
Equipment Delays and Day-One Disasters
Without a computer, you’re essentially left in limbo and completely unable to complete any tasks. Anxiety spikes; is it my fault? Or is this company just hopeless? It’s not what I’d call an ideal start.
Some employees also spend time on orientations and contract signing, only to hit a dead end because their credentials haven’t been activated yet, the right software hasn’t been installed on their systems (easily fixable with MDM), or their VPN hasn’t been activated.
Miscommunication Between HR and IT
One department may assume that the other has taken care of the details, causing tasks to be left undone and priorities to be misaligned. In some cases, there may also be mismatched tools and access. It’s a poor-coordination situation that causes unnecessary back-and-forth that wastes time and resources.
The Employee Experience at Stake
What’s at stake here isn’t just a new hire’s first impression—it’s their entire employee experience. Poor onboarding can quickly lead to dissatisfaction and disengagement faster than you can say “unproductive.”
Best Remote Onboarding Practices for HR and IT Teams
With the right practices, HR and IT teams can turn this high-wire act into a well-choreographed routine. Mastering the practices below guarantees a smooth landing for new hires and sets the stage for productivity and engagement.
Automating Workflows for Efficiency
Workflow automation is your backstage crew that ensures every prop and cue is perfectly timed. By automating repetitive tasks, tracking requests, and managing approvals, both teams can focus on what truly matters—people and innovation.
Ensuring IT Hardware Availability and Readiness with IT Asset Management Software
You want your laptops pre-configured and tools delivered like clockwork. It sounds easier said than done, but a combination of IT logistics, ITAM, and HRIS can bring it all together.
Callout block: Seamless IT logistics, connected to vendors worldwide, tracked on an easy-to-use IT asset management (ITAM) platform is the way to go. Ready to see how well it fits your business? Book a demo.
It also ensures devices are ready to rock and roll before a new hire even sets foot in your digital landscape. It helps monitor availability to prevent frustrating “uh-oh” moments, where employees find themselves unarmed for the task at hand.
Breaking Down Silos for Seamless Remote Onboarding
The world isn’t built on walls—it flourishes on bridges. Aligning goals between HR and IT removes those isolating silos, turning parolees into partners. Encourage shared responsibility by fostering communication and holding regular catch-up sessions. When goals align, the entire organization benefits.
Clear Communication Channels and Defined Roles
Defining roles and establishing workflows prevents overlap (or gaps), avoiding the “who’s doing what” chaos. Use the right tools and platforms to facilitate seamless communication. Your ITAM should integrate with, for example, Slack, to keep everyone relevant in the know. Setting accountability for each part of the process ensures that your process for onboarding remote employees is fluid and effective, and it can even become your standard operating procedure.
Proactive Planning to Avoid Last-Minute Requests
Proactivity serves as the blueprint for success. By planning hardware deliveries and onboarding tasks well in advance, HR and IT ensure new hires are always ready to go. Setting up kits for repeated procurement processes will also speed up remote onboarding and prevent little accidents. No more panic purchasing or scavenger hunting required!
What if You Could Do It All in One Platform?
Imagine flawless remote onboarding flows with robust IT asset management, leaving more room for collaboration and strategic planning. What if we said that there’s a platform that covers IT logistics, automates processes, syncs with HRIS, MDM, and communication channels such as Slack, and also covers the remote offboarding flow. With Dots, you can manage everything from electronic shipping to IT purchasing efficiently—from day one until employees are offboarded—without breaking a sweat. Start Connecting the Dots between IT and HR for seamless operations. Sign up for free today to learn more about Dots’ remote onboarding solutions.
