Orientation

[DrFaroohk]

Just had orientation at my new job. Long as fucking fuckity fuck!!!!

It was ok at first. Some boss type was in this room with like ten of us, going over a bit of the company history, describing what the day was like, safety issues, security issues, *human resource type stuff, etc....The job actually sounds semi-interesting, and I was impressed with the way they had things set up there.

then another boss man comes in. HE wanted to talk about human resource type stuff, security, safety, talk about the day, and give us a brief company history.

Then the HR lady comes in. She wanted to - that's right - talk about human resource stuff, safety, security, describing the day, and company history.

Finally some other administrative type lady comes in. Guess what she wanted to talk about.

I was also bored through most of it because it was stuff I was already very well familiar with. It sucks too because at this job, they typically hire drug addicts and ex-cons. I guess its their thing. Gives people a second chance and whatnot. There was (besides myself) a collective IQ of about 15 in the whole room. So it all had to be explained extremely slowly.

I suppose I COULD have spoken up and pointed out that I know all this shit so I want to leave, but I'm pretty sure that wouldn't have gone over well.

*human resource stuff - harassment, policies, discrimination, termination policies, benefits, etc....

[Greenday]

It sucks to have to go through that. For my current job, I had to watch some hilarious videos on that kind of stuff. They were made by interns of my level so they were actually funny. But yea, it gets old FAST.

On the bright side, if you get paid for it...you get paid to do nothing.

[Boozy]

I've always questioned the value of orientation videos.

I briefly held a job with a coffee shop chain and the bulk of our training was watching videos. Then they threw us into the job expecting us to remember everything. As a general rule, people don't learn that way. They learn by doing.

The only way those orientation videos would have been helpful would be if the person watching them had a photographic memory. A person with such a remarkable skill would be able to find work somewhere better, I'd imagine.

Maybe that was the point of going over it so many times, DrFaroohk. They were really trying to drill the point home.

[Greenday]

It also serves the purpose of letting the company say they already told you it wasn't ok to do.

[AdminAssistant]

The one thing I appreciated about TJ Maxx is that they made me watch a few (hilarious) loss prevention and anti-theft videos, but all of the actual training was done at the register. For my first few days, I had someone either showing me how to do something, standing over my shoulder watching me do said thing, or someone I could go to immediately for a problem.

[fireheart17]

My company training consisted of this (Although they've since modified it)

-an 8-hour session out at the regional office watching a few videos on food health and safety as well as how to lift a box. We also did a few team building exercises, filled out form after form and then had to lift A box. Thankfully we also received our shirts that day.
-a 5-hour session at one of the stores for more department specific training. This consisted or about 8 or 9 of us who would be going to stores in that nearby area. The area manager would take us through everything and anything there.
-finally, your first shift involved a tour and you being placed with someone for at least 2 weeks.


They've since cut down the 8-hour orientation and added in an extra 3-hour shift at your new store (or current store if you're only moving departments) for a better practice run.

All of this is paid btw.

[smileyeagle1021]

My most recent job's training. Day one was 2 hours of watching videos and 6 hours making fun of the videos and signing paperwork saying we will follow the FCC regulations. Followed by 24 hours (it didn't matter how the schedule worked out as long as you got 24 hours) of one on one on the call training to be split up as 8 hours listening to the mentor and observing, 4 hours of you talking while the mentor did the typing, 4 hours while you did the typing while the mentor did the talking, and 8 hours of you doing both while the mentor observed. After that time there was an hour long (supposedly, most people finish in half that time) test and you are on the floor taking live calls solo. Guess what, the training is extremely effective... the only time anyone really needs continued help is for processing 911 calls (and even then, we don't really 'need' the help, it's more a CYA move by management to have a manager come over to assist).