You Being New Can Be Hard on Me Too: Considering the Veteran Employee during Newcomer Socialization

Abstract

ABSTRACT The extant research on organizational socialization has primarily focused on newcomer perceptions of the socialization process, neglecting the perspective of insiders (veteran employees) who socialize newcomers. The veteran perspective is important to consider, as veterans take on additional work responsibilities to help newcomers assimilate to the organization. The current study examines how veterans’ perceptions of their personal resources (e.g., assimilation, job demands) may influence their own well-being during the socialization process, as well as newcomer outcomes (i.e., role clarity, job performance). Data from 108 matched veteran-newcomer pairs across a variety of occupations were analyzed using path analysis. Results suggest veteran assimilation and job demands during socialization are related to both veteran and newcomer outcomes, including veteran emotional exhaustion and newcomer role clarity. In addition, veteran assimilation was significantly related to newcomer performance. Implications of these findings for organizations are discussed.