Employee Onboarding Best Practices

Onboarding is not only a talent initiative, it is a business initiative.

A negative first impression, poor new employee training or lack of new hire planning can all lead to adverse impacts to productivity, retention, performance and engagement. As a result, organizations are thinking more proactively about the way to onboard talent by adopting new practices and investing in both traditional and innovative technology solutions to achieve results.

To help you through the process, we’ve collected some comprehensive articles on the topic. Here you’ll find tips and guidelines for developing your new hire onboarding program, making sure it covers critical areas, and best practices for how to get started.

When you’re ready to take action, we’re hear to help. Vera HR is here to streamline and automate workforce management to make your HR department a competitive differentiator for your company.

Learn more

Read the latest articles on employee onboarding:

Curbing Heat Illness: An Interview with KPA's Micah O'Shaughnessy

This week on The Safety Meeting, Sage and Micah discuss preparing for the hot summer months by understanding the signs of heat illness and implementing basic precautionary measures to prevent it in the first place.

The Best Workforce Training Is Based on Real-World Examples

The use of real-life examples is one of the key principles of effective workforce training. Here’s how we do it in KPA’s award-winning training courses.

Customer Story: Camper's Inn Sets Up for Continued Growth with HR, Safety and Sales and F&I Solutions

“We like to grow fast. KPA understanding how we operate and how can they help us improve has been fantastic.” Dealership audits + Learning Management = Comprehensive Solution

Safety from the Ground Up: An Interview with ABC's Greg Sizemore

This week on The Safety Meeting, Sage welcomes back Greg Sizemore, Vice President of health, safety, environment, and workforce development for ABC, to share the findings from the 2022 Safety Performance Report.

Backdating: Be Transparent

During this week's episode, F&I compliance expert, Ryan Daly, talks about backdating in today's world and how important it is for dealers to be transparent with customers about it.

Motivating Employees to Clean Up: Dos and Don’ts

How do you motivate your team to clean up and get involved in your company’s 5S program? How do you turn housekeeping into a habit? Here’s what to do and not do.

TRIR: One More Reason to Focus on This Important Safety Metric

Focus on TRIR before others focus on it for you. Here’s what to do if your TRIR falls above or below the industry average.

A Quick Reminder About Refinancing - Don't Do It

In an attempt to cope with dwindling inventory, dealers have needed to come up with new ways to stay afloat. Consequently, we have heard of some finance personnel soliciting car purchasers with offers to “lower your current interest rate and monthly payment” by refinancing. Let's set the record straight on this idea.

Taking a Holistic Approach to EHS and ESG: An Interview with KPA’s CEO, Chris Fanning

In this week’s episode, tune in to hear how adopting a holistic approach to safety training will better implement safety-driven cultural change in the long run.

Use the 5S System to Keep Your Facility Clean, Safe, and Efficient

Here’s how to practice good housekeeping with the 5 S Principles (also known as the 5S System, or 5S), a lean business methodology for workplace organization.

Close-up of a complex internal combustion engine

Is Your Fall Protection Equipment Expired?

April 25, 2022 - KPA's Glorianna Corman, REM, CHMM, CSP, urges employers to consider their fall protection equipment's expiration dates, buying the right equipment, and more.

Avoid Credit Application Manipulation and You'll Avoid Customer Litigation, Lender Fraud

During this week's episode, F&I compliance expert, Aaron Hartshorn discusses the detrimental risks of manipulating a credit application to be more appealing to lenders.

5 Toolbox Talk Tips For Worker Safety During a Labor Shortage

April 20, 2022 - KPA's Product Director of Training, Shawn Smith, has five tips for a better toolbox talk to address employee safety during a labor shortage.

How Workplace Housekeeping Can Keep Your Workers Safe and Save You Money

Clutter and mess create unnecessary hazards for workers—as well as major headaches for executives if OSHA comes to visit. Here’s why housekeeping matters.

OSHA Announces First-Ever National Emphasis Program for Heat Hazards

Last week, OSHA and the White House formally announced an indoor and outdoor heat illness and injury National Emphasis Program. We're covering what it is, what it means for you, and next steps.

How to Create a Successful Onboarding program

A KPA compliance expert wrote about the key aspects of an onboarding program and how dealerships can create a successful program.

A KPA expert recently wrote an article in RV Executive Today

Dealership F&I Hot Topics: An Interview with Ryan Daly

On today's episode, Sage is joined by F&I expert, Ryan Daly, who is an F&I district manager for KPA. Ryan and I discuss what best practices dealerships can use in order to stay compliant and avoid expensive violations.

How to Use Corrective and Preventative Actions to Keep Your Company Safe

What’s the difference between a corrective and preventive action? How do you figure out which ones are most important to tackle first?

3 Sales F&I Practices That Will Cost Your Dealership $10 Million

A recent settlement from the Federal Trade Commission warrants a review of non-compliant dealership practices and how to save yourself millions.

FTC Action Against Illinois Dealer Group--$10 Million Settlement

An Illinois dealer group allegedly discriminated against Black customers by charging them more for financing and allegedly slipped unwanted add-ons to customers’ bills.

Machine Guarding: Keep Up with OSHA Requirements and Keep Your Workers Safe

From amputations to OSHA fines, improperly guarded machines carry serious risks. Here’s what you need to know about OSHA’s machine guarding requirements.

Have You Visited the KPA Resource Library? If You Haven't, You're Missing Out.

Here’s a quick post to remind our fine readers of all the free resources you can use to improve your organization’s outcomes…right now.

Don't Let Payment Packing Cost You Millions

During this week's episode, F&I compliance expert, Ryan Daly, talks about how payment packing costs dealerships millions of dollars and their reputation.

With Regulators Watching, Don't Risk Your Deal Jackets

March 31, 2022 - Government regulators and watchdog agencies have made it clear they've set their sights on the automotive industry. Ryan Daly outlines a few things to remember to keep your deal jackets clean and compliant.

The Latest on the Safeguards Rule: An Interview with KPA's Robert Ebin

During this week's episode, Robert Ebin, Esq., talks to us about the FTC's Safeguards Rule and what dealerships should be doing right now about it.

OSHA’s Top 5 Most Frequently Cited Violations for Dealers and Repair Shops in 2021

Are you doing enough to avoid the most common OSHA citations for automotive dealerships and repair shops? Here’s what you need to look out for.

Consistency in Safety Practices: An Interview with ABC's Greg Sizemore

This week we chat about committing to the safety of your workers, laying the foundation for your safety programs, and believing that people matter above all else.

21 Great Topics to Cover at Safety Meetings

What safety topics should you be covering to ensure workforce safety & compliance? Here are 21 options for your next safety meeting.

What are the Most Dangerous Industries? And, How Does Yours Compare?

We’ve been talking a lot about injury rates and how to benchmark yours against industry averages. This got me thinking, which ones are the most dangerous?

Two KPA Compliance Consultants Honored for Their Achievement & Dedication to Managing Hazardous Materials

March 22, 2022 - Two KPA safety and compliance consultants, Zach Pucillo and Glorianna Corman, were honored by the Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals (AHMP) for their work and commitment to hazardous materials safety this past year.

What Is the OSHA General Duty Clause? How To Use it To Keep Your Workforce Safe

Under OSHA’s General Duty Clause, employers have an obligation to protect their employees from serious hazards—even ifthe hazard is unusual or unprecedented.

3 Training Program Strategies To Avoid Lockout/Tagout Issues

There are three strategies that managers can use to avoid lockout/tagout violations. Product Director of Training, Shawn Smith, details what those are in this article.

What OSHA’s Focusing on in 2022 - An Interview with KPA’s Zach Pucillo

On today's episode, Zach Pucillo joins us for a conversation on what OSHA and other regulatory agencies are focusing on for 2022.

Women in the Workplace: PPE, Ergonomic, and Health Impacts

Let’s make sure you haven’t overlooked safety and health issues for the women in your workplace. Here are a few impacts to think about.

What is Your TRIR? Calculate Yours and Use It to Improve Your Business

TRIR: Yet another acronym in the alphabet soup of safety regulations. Learn how to calculate yours and how OSHA and insurers use your score to assess your business.

How Onboarding Can Help Employee Retention

In a Q&A, Brianna Stashak, spoke about employee onboarding, common mistakes, compliance, and the key things to remember in your program.

Featured Data Reporting & Configurability of KPA EHS Software

Safety + Health featured recent reporting dashboard enhancements made to KPA EHS Software earlier this year.

Recent FTC Actions

Let's talk about the recent actions the Federal Trade Commission has taken against a recent telemarketing campaign for "extended warranties" and an automotive marketing services company that used deceptive advertising. Here are some lessons learned.

Women in Safety: Stats & Safety Considerations for Today's Workforce

Here are some useful data points that reflect the state of women's workplace safety and the impact safety programs have on keeping women out of harm’s way.

KPA Compliance Consultant Predicts 2022 NADA Show F&I Trends

KPA's F&I District Manager, Aaron Hartshorn, outlines 4 trends to watch for at the 2022 NADA Show including the GLBA Safeguard Rule, employee turnover, and the growth of electric vehicles. Check out the sessions he recommends.

KPA F&I District Manager featured in F&I Showroom

Using Safety Data To Prevent Future Incidents

KPA Product Director, Jade Brainard, talks to Jay Kumar about the difference between leading and lagging indicators, how to use safety data to prevent future incidents, and how to use training completion reports to improve workplace safety.

How to Create a Mobile Safety Program

KPA's Zach Pucillo outlines 5 best practices, from setting incremental goals to mentorship, for developing a mobile-based safety program.

KPA Launches Healthy Workplaces Program to Keep Dealerships Safe and Productive

March 3, 2022 - According to NADA, auto dealerships continue to grapple with a 46% turnover rate. To help improve employee retention and workplace culture, KPA has announced the launch of the Healthy Workplaces Program.

The Importance of ESG Initiatives: An Interview with KPA's CEO

In this week’s episode of The Safety Meeting, Sage is joined by KPA CEO, Chris Fanning, to discuss the importance of ESG and how it's influencing the future of workplace sustainability and compliance.

NADA 2022 - Looking Forward to Seeing You In-Person!

The 2022 National Automobile Dealers Association Show is days away, and we couldn’t be more excited. The auto industry’s biggest annual event brings together dealers, vendors, and expert speakers.

3 Ways Workforce Training Needs to Catch Up With Learners’ Brains

Learn some cool brain science and a few surprising truths behind the kind of workforce compliance training that truly sticks and resonates with employees.

Construction Companies Take Note: Here's Where OSHA’s Focusing in 2022

Construction inspections make up 60% of OSHA’s inspections. Here are some areas you can expect enhanced OSHA construction company enforcement.

Keeping Safety A Priority During a Fluctuating Workforce

KPA's Deren Boyd has 5 tips for how to maintain workplace safety when the number of employees on your work sites keeps changing.

Aluminum Safety for Body Shops and Collision Centers

When aluminum is cut, bent, or broken, it will behave differently than steel. You'll need specific equipment to perform aluminum structural repairs safely.

Five Safety Realities Facing Front-Line Workers

Many safety programs rely on assumptions made by leadership - who don't always have access to the front-line information to make informed decisions.

Pop Quiz: Can You Survive an OSHA Visit?

It’s the visit that every organization finds intimidating. Take this quiz to see how knowledgeable you are about OSHA inspection visits.

Here's What an Emergency Temporary Standard Means for Businesses

KPA's Director of Content Management, Jill Schaefer, participated in a Q&A discussing the implications of federal emergency temporary standard for workplace safety and employers.

Three Best Practices to Future-Proof Your Workforce and Safety Training

The future of EHS and HR safety training is all about increasing access by eliminating friction between the training programs and those who need it.

How to Develop Preventative Safety Measures: An Interview with KPA’s Jade Brainard

In this week’s episode we discuss how data and analytics not only help develop preventative safety measures, but also predictive safety measures.

How Should We Handle Off-Hour Injuries? Here's What OSHA Says.

Injuries happen at all times, even during off-business hours and on the weekends. You may need to report injuries to OSHA even for after-hours events.

Here’s What Safety Managers Want to See From Their Training in the Future

We polled our user base to get a feel for what safety and training managers want to see from their EHS and HR Training Courses in the future.

Tier II Reporting: 6 FAQs to Help You Prepare for the Deadline

The Tier II reporting deadline is coming up on March 1st - are you ready? If you store hazardous chemicals on-site, you'll need to comply.

The Direct and Indirect Costs of Construction Injuries

Accidents have a significant impact on construction projects, and can result in expenses that add up quickly. Think of safety incidents like an iceberg. There’s the costs you see and the costs you don’t.

Titling Issues and New DMV Alert Re: Temporary Operating Permits

Titling issues have been popping up on the Hotline more, so let's talk about selling a used vehicle without a physical title, the new DMV memorandum, and then get into the logistics of when the dealer must have a physical title.

Three Best Practices for Using Data to Improve Safety

Companies that use safety data to maintain a safe workplace set themselves up for success. Use these best practices to keep your safety procedures effective.

These are the Most Popular Training Topics According To KPA Clients

As workplace environments shift over time, training needs are changing too. Here's a snapshot of popular workforce and safety training courses.

The Future of Training: An Interview with KPA’s Director of Training

Listen to this podcast to learn about results from the recent KPA Client Training Survey and the future of best practices for safety and compliance training.

Here's What Makes KPA's Culture Unique

KPA Regional Sales Director, Mark Hasson, talks to Built In Colorado about the experience of working at KPA and what makes it a unique employer.

FTC Bans Marketing Company from Automotive Industry for Misleading Ads

The Federal Trade Commission banned an auto marketing agency from the automotive industry for violating laws and misleading consumers. The agency is banned from the industry for 20 years. Don't let that happen to you.

Take Your Oil & Gas Safety Program Digital in 6 Steps

Deren Boyd wrote an article for OH&S about six ways to simplify how to implement safety and compliance software to make it easier and achievable for everyone. Boyd's strategies include data collection, breaking down the plan into smaller projects, prioritization, and more.

How to Use Lagging Indicators to Evaluate Past Safety Performance and Improve Future

Lagging indicators can inform what improvements you can make to your safety program. Use your data to see long-term trends and evaluate performance.

Construction Safety Goals & Metrics to Start 2022 Off Right

KPA District Manager, Joe Souza, wrote an article in Construction Executive about how the new year is a good time to evaluate your safety program goals and the baseline metrics to help track your goals.

OSHA’s COVID-19 Workplace Vaccine, Testing Standard: Dates & Details

Updated January 26 - The Department of Labor and OSHA has withdrawn the COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing; Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS), although it is not withdrawing the ETS as a proposed rule. How does this impact your business? Read the latest.

OSHA and EPA Increase Penalties for 2022: Stay Out of Their Crosshairs

As they now do every year, the fine folks at OSHA and the EPA have raised their fines for 2022. See the new $$$$ and learn how to stay out of their crosshairs.

How to Use Leading Indicators to Improve Workplace Safety

Data is the best tool you have to reduce workplace risk. Let’s take a look at an important type of safety data - called Leading Indicators, or Predictive Analytics to improve safety at your workplace.

How to Fill Out Your OSHA 300A Form

OSHA reporting season's here - with the first deadline February 1st. Here are some tips on filling out your OSHA 300A form.

Service Revenue Predictions - Stat of the Week

The average vehicle on the road today is over 12 years old, and the vehicle parc is at a record level. This drove Cox Automotive to touch on the topic in their 2022 predictions.

The Start of KPA EHS Software & The Power of Configurable Software

KPA's Deren Boyd talked to Digital Oil and Gas about his start in the industry, the development of KPA EHS Software, and how compliance and safety can be checklists and forms but also about caring for colleagues.

Top F&I Issues for 2022: Payment Packing, Fraud Vigilance

Automotive News' John Huetter sat down with KPA F&I District Manager, Ryan Daly, to discuss the top compliance issues he sees at dealerships and the impact of the microchip shortage on F&I.

Automotive News article featuring a KPA safety consultant

Staying Safe With Data and Analytics

Safety leaders armed with data can make decisions that drive productivity, foster a strong culture of safety, and encourage improvement. Learn how.

New Laws and Regulations 2022

We've rounded up the new laws and regulations that may impact dealer operations in 2022 and provided a summary, degree of impact, and anticipated effective dates.

KPA Receives Built In’s Best Places to Work Award

January 12, 2022 – For the third year in a row, KPA has been honored by Built In as one of Colorado’s 2022 Best Places To Work and Best Midsize Companies to Work For.

Why Safety Culture Matters

What are the fears that inhibit employees from actively participating in safety programs? Learn for overcoming them to build a strong safety culture.

KPA EHS Software Enhancements Focus on Greater Data Reporting Configurability

January 11, 2022 - Today, KPA announced a KPA EHS software update that features new & enhanced reporting dashboards configured based on a business's unique requirements.

KPA EHS Configurable Dashboards and Reporting

FTC Pays Attention to Dealership Advertising—Do You?

The FTC is cracking down on auto dealer advertising violations. Learn some tips from KPA’s auto compliance experts to ensure your dealership stays out of trouble.

Bookmark This! Find Key Dates and More in Your OSHA Reporting Resource Hub

The start of the year means that your first OSHA reporting deadline’s a month away. We’ve collected resources for you in the OSHA Reporting Resource Hub.

Forklift Safety: Simple Mistakes Lead to Costly Results

Does your facility have storage space or a warehouse? Do you utilize forklifts? Do your personnel and your forklifts share the same space throughout the day? Here’s a cautionary tale for you.

Our Favorite Safety Posts from 2021

in case you missed it: Here are some of our favorite safety posts from 2021. Having produced over 200 articles this year alone. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the great ones might have slipped through the cracks.

Our Favorite Construction Posts from 2021

Having produced over 200 articles this year alone. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the great ones might have slipped through the cracks. So, in case you missed it: Here are some of our favorite construction posts from 2021.

Our Favorite Insurance Posts from 2021

Having produced over 200 articles this year alone. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the great ones might have slipped through the cracks. Here are some of our favorite posts for brokers from 2021.

Our Favorite Dealer Posts from 2021

Having produced over 200 articles this year alone. We wouldn’t be surprised if some of the great ones might have slipped through the cracks. So, in case you missed it: Here are some of our favorite dealer posts from 2021.

KPA CEO Talks Habits of Highly Effective Safety Cultures

KPA President and CEO, Chris Fanning, talks about 5 habits of highly effective safety cultures.

2022 Minimum Wage Changes and Increases

KPA has been tracking state and local minimum wage changes and increases HR professionals need to know. Here is a roundup of changes starting January 1, 2022.

Stacking Up EV Maintenance and Repair Costs

With billions set aside for charging infrastructure and surging demand - EVs are a huge opportunity for dealers. Let's look at maintenance and repair costs.

ESG: Why Does it Matter? And How Can Safety Leaders Take the Lead?

EHS professionals are in a unique position to take the lead on ESG initiatives. As a key player in an ESG initiative, where do you start?

Providing a Written Warranty Document When Offering a Dealer Warranty

As 2021 draws to a close, I'm reflecting on the year and the most frequent topics during its course. Let's reflect on what obligations a dealer has when it provides its own warranty on a used vehicle.

KPA and Texas Recreational Vehicle Association Announce Safety & Compliance Partnership

December 14, 2021 - Today, KPA and TRVA announced an exclusive workplace safety and compliance partnership, spanning Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) and HR, for TRVA’s dealer members throughout the Lone Star State.

OSHA Recordkeeping: 4 Reasons to Prioritize It

OSHA reporting and recordkeeping may not seem as urgent as an unconscious employee or a toppled forklift, but they’re vital to any safety management program.

How to Maintain A Safe & Productive Service Department

KPA's Stephany Birkholz spoke with Automotive News Fixed Ops Journal about common environmental compliance issues in Service Departments.

How to Avoid the Top 5 OSHA Violations at Construction Sites

In a cover story for Industrial Safety and Hygiene News, Zach Pucillo, CSP, CHMM, details how safety managers can avoid the top 5 OSHA violations at construction sites like insufficient fall protection and training, unstable scaffolding and ladders, and the general duty clause.

Keeping Your Workforce Safe and Healthy this Winter

Winter weather has made an entrance. Is your workforce prepared for the winter weather? Here are some winter weather tips to keep your folks safe.

Are You Using Bulk 55 Gallon Drums Of Brake Cleaner?

To save on costs, many service departments are purchasing flammable liquids such as brake cleaner, lacquer thinner, gasoline, and other flammable liquids in bulk 55-gallon drums. While this may make economic sense, you may have to spend a bit more upfront to comply with flammable liquid storage regulations.