Orientation

Orientation is the process of bringing employees up to speed on organizational policies, job roles and responsibilities, and other organizational concepts that help them transition efficiently into their new position. In larger companies, or for roles with greater responsibilities, orientation may include time spent across several departments as well as specialist learning programs.

People often confuse orientation with onboarding. Onboarding includes orientation as one element, but it covers much more than that. A typical orientation stretches over a few days and is a one-time event, while onboarding is an ongoing process that can run anywhere from several months to a couple of years.

Orientation usually happens in a classroom setting with a one-way flow of information, while onboarding is a two-way exchange that can take place over several sessions.