From abroad to the Czech Republic: What employee onboarding looks like in practice

Recruiting top employees in record time? In the first part of the case study from the Philippines, we showed that it is possible. However, signing the contract and boarding the plane is only the beginning.

Imagine completing an exhausting flight across half the globe. You arrive in a country where it is twenty degrees colder than you are used to. You do not understand a single word, the signs around you mean nothing, and you do not know any local people. At this moment, it is essential to approach foreign employees in a humane way.

You only make a first impression once

At SYNERGIE, we know that loyalty begins with the very first handshake.

“The very first contact is absolutely crucial. Whether someone is waiting for them, how they are welcomed, whether someone smiles – all of this plays a huge role. For a person who has flown thousands of kilometers into the unknown, it is a moment they will remember forever,” explains Michal Červinka, Business Development Specialist at SYNERGIE, who is in charge of the project.

After arrival, our role changes. We are no longer recruiters; we become guides in a completely new world:

A Sense of Home: When employees arrive, a warm meal awaits them. Not a vending machine sandwich, but a proper dinner. “Before accommodation, we must ensure their basic needs for the first days so they do not feel lost,” Michal explains.
Connection to the World: The first thought of anyone traveling for work belongs to their family. Therefore, we consider reliable internet and connectivity at the accommodation essential.
A Clear Plan for the First Days: This usually includes a visit to the foreign police, arranging a bank account and medical check-up, an orientation tour of the surroundings, the first visit to the company, and introductions to supervisors and new colleagues. Employees therefore know exactly what to expect.

A rice cooker as a strategic investment? In the case of recruitment from the Philippines, yes

It is the details that determine whether a foreign employee feels like a welcomed colleague and a full member of the team, or merely cheap labor. This is clearly visible in recruitment from the Philippines:

“It is necessary to respect their customs. The employees themselves jokingly say that the Philippines means rice, basketball, and karaoke. It is therefore a big plus when they find rice cookers in the kitchen equipment,” Michal says with a smile.

These “small things” have a huge impact. When you allow employees to cook the way they are used to and spend their free time in their own way, you gain someone who feels mentally comfortable. And such a person will also deliver top performance at work.

Pay attention to the workplace atmosphere: “They will take our jobs”

While new colleagues are settling in, tensions may arise among existing employees. If communication is underestimated, rumors begin to spread.

“Company management may approve the recruitment, but often forgets to prepare the other employees. Supervisors and team members then do not know what to expect, and unnecessary friction arises,” warns Michal.

The key is honesty. Permanent employees must understand that foreign employees are not coming to take their jobs. They are arriving to stabilize operations and enable further development of production. Once people understand that the new team members are “covering their backs,” the tension disappears and a real team is formed.

Why go through all this?

Is the logistics, administration, preparation, and personal hiring in the home country worth it? Companies that have chosen international recruitment with us especially appreciate:

High work ethic: Absence is almost unknown among foreign employees, and turnover is practically zero.
Respect for rules: Clients appreciate how well foreign employees adapt to internal processes. They respect workplace rules and learn quickly.
Technical competence: These are not auxiliary workers. They are individuals who have passed demanding testing, can read technical drawings, and possess the technical and manual skills required by the client.
Humility and gratitude: “They see the opportunity to work in Europe as a huge opportunity. Many plan to stay long-term. All the more reason they remember how the company treated them at the very beginning,” Michal adds.

We are professionals

International recruitment is our daily business. It is a standard, repeatable process built on our know-how. The result is a stable and functioning team with which you can plan the stability of production, logistics centers, and other operations — in short, the growth of your company.

Are you considering strengthening your team from abroad but are concerned about administrative burden, unsure about the visa process and other necessary steps for successful hiring and onboarding into your company? Get in touch with us.