More than half
of employees strongly regret accepting a new job immediately after joining
their new organisation, according to a new survey.

The study also
reveals that 26 per cent of respondents voluntarily left their job within one month
because they were so disappointed by the poor treatment from their new
employers. 

Nick Hood, senior London partner of Begbies
Traynor, which carried out the research in conjunction with online directory
UK Net Guide, said the findings show how important it is for employers to spend
time and effort on helping new starters settle in.

“If staff leave
in the first few weeks of joining, the organisation has to meet more costs,
both in time and money, in recruiting replacements.  It’s far simpler and more cost effective to make sure they are
properly introduced in the first place, he said.

Other key findings:

• A significant 59 per cent had been left to their
  own devices during their first day at work. 

• Twelve percent of people had been refused entry by
  a security guard not expecting them on their first day at work. 

• When new recruits were able to get into the office
  nearly half (46 per cent) had not been allocated a desk. 

• Despite companies being aware that a new employee
  was starting work, 67 per cent did not have an email address set up on
  their first day. 

• Twenty two percent of respondents had to set up
  their own PC before they were able to start work. 

• Forty six percent said they were given no training
  for their new role in the first week. 
  

• In summing up their initial impressions of the new
  company 42 per cent thought that their new company lacked organisation.

• 32 per cent of respondents were assigned a
  “buddy”.  A buddy is a colleague,
  usually of the same level, from whom the new recruit can seek help and
  advice

• Seventy one percent of respondents thought they
  would have benefited from having a buddy.

By Ben Willmott