The Advantages Of Starting A Mentorship Program At Work

Do you have a mentorship program at work? As an HR professional, starting a mentorship program at work is definitely something to put at the top of your to-do list. We mean it. Drop everything else and create a mentorship program for your employees ASAP.

Chalkboard with mentor and related words image

A mentorship program is designed to pair up your experienced employees with new hires in a mentor/protege relationship. It’s an appealing incentive program that’s totally free. Everyone can communicate openly, ask questions, and learn from other employees. It’s a great way to shape and mold the skill sets of your new employees for the future of your company.

Mentorship programs are one of the best things you can do for both your new hires and your experienced employees. In fact, we wracked our brains and we couldn’t think of any negative aspects of starting a mentorship program.

Let’s look at the advantages of starting a mentorship program at work:

Increases employee satisfaction
Encourages networking
Develops leadership
Improves employee retention
Teaches new skills
Utilizes resources that you already have
Encourages communication and interaction
Reduces stress
Offers perspective
Increases productivity
Opens up communications
Improves company culture

There are many ways to structure a mentorship program at work. Typically one-on-one mentor/protege relationships work best. This way a veteran employee and a new employee can create an open relationship where they can learn from each other.

If you plan on starting a mentorship program at work, here are the basic steps you’ll need to take:

Determine the goal of the mentorship program
Brainstorm a schedule/curriculum
Pair mentors and proteges
Develop trust
Create a process of open communication
Offer feedback

Ideally a mentorship program will be beneficial to everyone involved because everyone can learn something. It’s a way to create a healthy and inviting company culture that everyone will enjoy.

Start a mentorship program at work today. It will be one of the best things you ever do for your company and your employees.