It is common to face difficulty when you join a new organization as an employee because learning your new job and comprehending its intricacies can be overwhelming. Every organization has its unique culture, which may be hard to understand, especially because some norms and values are unwritten. You are not just focusing on your specific responsibilities and tasks but also trying to grasp the company’s culture, procedures, and policies.
Also, some organizations don’t have an effective onboarding process to help new employees familiarize themselves with their working practices. This article will show you common challenges new hires face and strategies for overcoming them.
Discrimination
As a new employee, getting along with your colleagues can be challenging. This is natural and might change as your colleagues get to know you better. However, new hires can find themselves stuck in work environments where they face outright discrimination or bias based on sex, disability, race, or even religion. It’s best to determine your company’s policy or procedure for reporting such incidents and make your complaints. If your discrimination report isn’t taken seriously and followed by an internal investigation, you might need to speak to a legal representative.
Shapiro Law Group, an employment lawyer, emphasizes that “in the event of workplace discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, an employee needs someone who can help them understand their rights and legal options, guide them through the process of filing a complaint with the appropriate government agencies, and represent them in negotiations or litigation to seek compensation for damages.” That’s where an experienced employment lawyer can help protect your rights. Â
Poor Training
Many organizations lack comprehensive training programs to help new hires understand how the company works and what is expected of them. Sometimes, the companies assign senior employees to conduct all the training within a few hours before leaving the new employees to struggle on their own. This approach can lead to information overload, which can be overwhelming.
To reduce the stress of information overload during onboarding, carry a notebook with you and write down the information and techniques that are introduced to you. If you have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification.
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Workload Management
As a new employee, you may struggle to balance your workload and prioritize tasks efficiently. This struggle with effective time management to meet the competing demands of your new role can lead to poor work-life balance. New hires often fear speaking out because they don’t want to be seen as incompetent. But if you push your body beyond limits, you’ll see the effect on your performance and health. So, you must communicate this to your manager.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your workload, you can also take a step back and analyze all your tasks. Not all tasks deserve the same urgency or importance. So, you must learn to prioritize, set realistic and achievable deadlines for yourself, and break down bigger tasks into smaller milestones. Communicate the timelines to your supervisor or managers and work towards keeping them.
Lack of Confidence
You may not know so much about the processes at your organization compared to your colleagues. This can affect your confidence and cause you to doubt your abilities. Instead of being self-judgemental, try to identify your knowledge lapses and weaknesses and improve on them.
Invest your time in self-improvement, ask questions, and see this phase as a learning curve and an opportunity to become the confident employee you desire. If you make mistakes along the way, take responsibility and don’t try to cover them up or make excuses.
Lack of Motivation
Whether you work remotely or from an office, you might find it challenging to stay motivated and accomplish work-related tasks. Your job is only a part of your life, so focusing on it to be productive for up to eight hours doesn’t happen automatically. It’s up to you to figure out what motivates you the most and style your work accordingly.
If it’s hard to stay on track with work tasks, take regular breaks throughout the workday. Sitting for too long can make your mind wander and even become sluggish. So, take regular, active breaks for productivity, even if it’s just a simple short walk to the water dispenser and back. This will get your blood flowing, carry oxygen to your brain, and help you channel your attention.
