Engaging new hires in remote work environments: exploring the challenges and opportunities in different employee age groups

Purpose The purpose of this conceptual paper is to explore the significance of new hire engagement in remote work settings and its impact on both younger and older employee age groups, while also proposing a conceptual framework to support new hire engagement. Design/methodology/approach The authors used a conceptual approach to propose new ways to address new hire engagement in remote work settings and its influence on younger and older employees. Findings The authors present a conceptual framework that can serve as a working job aid for human resource professionals to support new hires by offering age-appropriate tools to improve work engagement levels of newly hired employees. The proposed model is comprised of six key components (socialization, adaptation, communication, relationships, job/work and support) and their relationships in remote work environments. Originality/value This conceptual paper highlights the struggles faced by new hires with their new organization and its culture and the challenges and opportunities to adjust to remote work settings.