A3 Book section, Chapters in research books
Newcomers in the Workplace (2020)

Rajamäki, S., & Mikkola, L. (2020). Newcomers in the Workplace. In L. Mikkola, & M. Valo (Eds.), Workplace Communication (pp. 69-82). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429196881-6

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Rajamäki, Sari; Mikkola, Leena

Parent publication: Workplace Communication

Parent publication editors: Mikkola, Leena; Valo, Maarit

ISBN: 978-0-367-18570-1

eISBN: 978-0-429-19688-1

Publication year: 2020

Pages range: 69-82

Number of pages in the book: 213

Publisher: Routledge

Place of Publication: New York

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429196881-6

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/67500

Abstract

When newcomers enter a workplace, the focus is usually only on orientation and onboarding tactics, which aim to socialize newcomers into the workplace. However, it is through workplace relationships that newcomers make sense of their work tasks and create an understanding of “our workplace.” This chapter describes the processes of interpersonal communication in the workplace during a newcomer’s entry phase. Newcomers may face uncertainty regarding professional performance, relationships, job tasks, or membership. This uncertainty is managed by information-seeking strategies. In social interaction with others, newcomers construct their belonging through membership negotiation and identification. Leaders and coworkers are significant parts of a newcomer’s entry, but mentoring relationships can play a supporting role. A newcomer’s entry is a reciprocal process in which the newcomer and other employees cocreate meanings in order to identify themselves in the context of the workplace and define their role in workplace interactions.

Keywords: interaction; work communities; familiarisation; mentoring; employees; working life; communication

Free keywords: identification; membership; newcomer; uncertainty management; working life; workplace communication

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2020

JUFO rating: 3