On the surface, a new employee joining your company may appear enthusiastic. They may, however, be concerned about the people they'll meet and the work they'll have to do.

Part of your work as a human resource professional is to welcome new employees and prepare them for the challenges ahead. This aspect of the work entails recognizing frequent sources of fear and assisting new employees in overcoming them. Your job begins the moment they sign the offer letter; you must establish a solid rapport with the new hire so that they feel comfortable asking questions.

Employee phobias and what you can do to assist

Let's look at what these employee anxieties are in the first place now that you know from where they come. Six new employee anxieties are listed below, along with suggestions for how to help them cope:

1. Is there an environment at work that encourages fresh ideas?

Every business has its own work culture. To put it mildly, certain places are fixed in their ways, and others foster open exchanging of ideas at all times. New hires from a company with a strong collaborative culture may be apprehensive that they will be entering an environment where new ideas are not welcomed. You must establish an open culture at your organization to avoid this predicament. HR managers have an essential role in creating and sustaining a work environment that encourages self-expression while also encouraging fresh ideas. They can do so by implementing cross-functional training programs that foster a collaborative environment. Managers in cross-functional teams must be educated on the advantages of fostering an open environment.

2. Am I on the proper track in my career?

Another prevalent concern among new employees is the instability of shifting jobs, especially if they have been in their current position for a long time. "Am I making the proper decision?" is the first question they ask themselves. The anxiety of leaving a familiar setting for an unfamiliar one can swiftly send one into a panic attack.

HR managers can assist alleviate these worries by ensuring that the employee has a great first experience. They should also persuade the new worker that the new atmosphere will assist them in gaining new skills and boosting their careers. They can accomplish so by emphasizing the new hire's training and skill development sessions.

3. Is it possible for me to contact management if I have a problem?

Another prevalent concern among new employees is the fear of not being able to reach out to management in the event of a personal crisis. As a result, while onboarding a new employee, it's critical not to overemphasize the importance of hierarchy in the workplace.

Assure the new employee that management is always available to assist in the resolution of the employee's problems. Create an open environment where employees feel comfortable approaching their bosses with work-related or personal concerns.

4. Will my questions be ridiculed if I ask them?

New employees are typically hesitant to ask questions. The fear is that you'll be judged, or worse, that you'll come out as uneducated and inept. The face or attitude that says, "Really? You should know the answer."

When starting a new job, though, everyone has a lot of questions. Encourage the new employee to ask inquiries when they're unclear about something to help them overcome their nervousness. Remind them that no question is off-limits. For all HR resources, that should be part of your onboarding checklist.

5. Will my peers welcome me or reject me?

Rejection is a primordial fear shared by all social creatures. When people find themselves in a new setting among strangers, this is a common occurrence. While this usually fades with time, it is critical to make the new employee feel welcomed and valued as a member of the team. From the start, management should assist in creating an environment that encourages a collaborative and inclusive culture.

What is the definition of a collaborative culture? In its most basic form, it is a work environment in which everyone's contribution is equally recognized. Avoid dismissing thoughts and ideas without first discussing and considering them. Employees will be more likely to participate actively and provide suggestions in the future if you do this.

6. Will I get fired if I do poorly?

During the interview process, everyone makes it a point to put their best foot forward. New employees frequently worry about whether they'll be able to live up to the organization's expectations once they've been hired. Ensure that the expectations are well defined to assist them in overcoming this. It's also critical that you provide them with all of the tools they'll need to fulfill these goals. For the first three months, you can, for example, create and utilize an online schedule to assign tasks and check their progress with other tools. During this time, providing regular and relevant feedback is crucial in assisting them in meeting the defined goals. Feedback can take the shape of casual one-on-one conversations with the person to whom the employee reports. In the first three months, it's better to avoid organized and formal performance appraisals.

Summing Up!

When you're in a new situation with strangers, it's natural to be afraid. When starting a new career, we spend 40+ hours each week at work, and every hour can feel like a high-stakes and high-stress situation.

The HR team and line managers at a new company play a critical role in ensuring that a new employee joins and settles in as a motivated and productive team member. All good managers maintain a laser-like focus on assisting people at every level of their employment with the organization.

The level of support you provide to new workers determines how soon they overcome their apprehensions about starting a new job. To hire new employees contact us!