46. A firm is hiring several new employees. The new employees are largely inexperienced and unfamiliar with the company and its methods of conducting business. Given this, the firm plans to have an orientation period for all new hires and hopes the orientation will reduce costs associated with hiring in the future. How will the orientation achieve these cost benefits for the firm?
Answer: B
The orientation will help reduce turnover among the new employees.
Implementing an orientation program is crucial for integrating inexperienced employees into the company culture and operational methods, which can significantly lower turnover rates. By providing comprehensive training and support during the orientation, the firm fosters a sense of belonging and understanding, leading to greater employee retention.
A) It will decrease the salary cost of the employees
This option is incorrect because an orientation program does not directly affect the salary costs of employees. Salaries are typically determined by market rates and job responsibilities, not by the orientation process.
B) It will help reduce turnover among the new employees
This option is correct as effective orientation enhances new employees' understanding of their roles and the company's expectations, which can lead to higher job satisfaction and lower turnover. By investing time in orientation, the firm can ensure that employees feel well-prepared and valued, thus encouraging them to stay longer.
C) It will enable the firm to identify which employees to promote
This choice is incorrect because the primary goal of an orientation is to acclimate new hires rather than to assess them for promotion. While orientation can provide some insights into employee capabilities, promotion decisions typically rely on performance evaluations that occur after a longer period of employment.
D) It will increase the amount of time the employees work
This option is incorrect because orientation does not inherently increase the working hours of employees. Instead, it serves as an introductory period that may temporarily reduce productivity as new hires acclimate to their roles and responsibilities.
Conclusion
The orientation program is essential for reducing turnover among new employees, which ultimately leads to cost savings for the firm. While other options may seem plausible, they do not address the core benefit of orientation, which is to enhance employee retention and engagement. Hence, option B stands out as the most relevant and accurate response to the question posed.