Employee orientation program.

Employee orientation is an important part of employee retention and morale. In July 2002, Compsat Technology created a comprehensive program that begins on the employee's first day and continues through the first year of employment.

Key components of the program include:

* A mentor to help acclimate the new employee to the new environment.

* A "Meet Everyone" card to be completed within a week.

* A meeting with the president to review the Strategic Business Plan.

* Evaluation procedures for 30, 90 and 120 days and one year.

* After six months, a breakfast with the president or CEO.

Since the inception of this program, we have seen a significant reduction in employee turnover as well as a noticeable improvement in the amount of time it takes a new employee to become oriented to our environment and culture. The program is reviewed on a yearly basis, and responses to an orientation survey help us make changes and improvements in the program as the company grows.

Southfield-based Compsat Technology Inc., a Gold-level member of the Detroit Regional Chamber, was among the honorees in the Chamber's 2003 Best Practices awards program. For information on the 2004 contest, see pages 65-66. To share your company's best practices with Detroiter readers, call (313) 596-0373 or e-mail: cmead@detroitchamber.com.

By Dorene Jones, Human Resources Manager, Compsat Technology Inc.