Induction videos are a powerful way to welcome new employees and provide a consistent, engaging introduction to your workplace. But what makes an induction video truly effective? It all comes down to the content. So, what is the best content to include in your induction videos?
While every company’s needs are different, the best induction videos typically include key elements like a warm welcome from leadership, an overview of the company’s history and values, essential health and safety information and important HR details. Some businesses also feature real employees sharing safety messages to make the content more relatable. Just keep in mind that certain elements may date the video over time.
Whether you’re creating your first induction video or refining an existing one, this guide will help you build content that makes new employees feel informed, confident and ready to get started.
The Best Content to Include in Your Induction Videos: A Quick Overview
First and foremost, this will vary from company to company. Ideally, a production company will first meet with you to understand your business and tailor the content accordingly. Here are the key types of content you should consider:
- A personalised welcome message from leadership
- Background about the company’s mission, vision and values
- An overview of the work environment and culture
- Health and safety protocols tailored to your workplace
- HR policies including leave, payroll and compliance
- Testimonials or safety tips from existing staff
- A clear summary of employee roles and expectations
- Optional modules for different departments or remote workers
Let’s look closer at how and why these elements work and how to include them effectively.
Begin with a Warm Welcome from Leadership
Nothing sets the tone better than a genuine welcome. Starting your induction video with a message from your CEO, director or founder helps humanise the organisation and make new hires feel valued.
Why it works:
- Reinforces leadership accessibility and transparency
- Encourages emotional connection to the company
- Can introduce the company’s values and purpose in a personal way
Tip: While a welcome message is impactful, be mindful of dated references or visual styles that may need updating over time. Keeping the message focused on core company principles helps maintain longevity.
Share Your Company Background and Vision
Next, offer insight into who you are as an organisation. New hires should walk away with a clear understanding of what the company does, who it serves and where it’s heading.
What to cover:
- A short history of the company
- Products or services you offer
- Types of clients or industries you serve
- Core values, mission and vision
Pro Tip: Keep it brief and engaging. Use graphics, charts or footage from the workplace to help tell your story visually.
Showcase Workplace Culture and Environment
Your new team members want to know what it’s like to work in your organisation. Give them a glimpse into your company culture by showing real scenarios and everyday team interactions.
What to include:
- Team celebrations or group activities
- Office or facility tours
- Core behaviours or cultural principles
This content helps new employees feel more confident and comfortable, especially if they’re working on-site for the first time.
Include Health and Safety Essentials
If your workplace has any level of risk, from warehouses to office spaces, it’s vital that your induction video includes health and safety information specific to your environment.
Must-have safety content:
- Evacuation procedures
- PPE usage and site rules
- Incident reporting protocols
- Manual handling or machinery safety tips
Client Tip: You can feature real employees delivering safety messages for authenticity. However, be mindful this content may date quickly, especially if rules change.
Cover Key HR Policies and Compliance Info
An induction video is also a perfect place to reinforce HR and legal compliance content. Clear explanations in video form can often help new hires understand these policies more effectively than written handbooks alone.
Content to cover:
- Leave policies (annual, sick, parental)
- Pay cycles and entitlements
- Code of conduct and anti-discrimination policies
- Probation period expectations
- IT usage and privacy
Visuals can help simplify these topics. For example, animated timelines can explain pay cycles, while checklists can support compliance topics.
Add Real Stories from the Team
Adding video snippets of real staff sharing experiences or workplace tips can make your induction feel more authentic and less scripted.
Ideas for real employee input:
- Safety tips from long-term staff
- Advice for first-week success
- ‘A day in the life’ of different roles
This also helps convey a sense of community and encourages new hires to feel part of the team early on.
Define Roles, Expectations and Next Steps
New employees should leave your induction with clarity on what their role involves and what’s expected from them in the early days.
What to include:
- Key responsibilities and team structure
- Introduction to direct manager or team lead
- Tools and systems they’ll be using
- Immediate next steps (e.g. orientation schedule or buddy system)
This type of clarity can help reduce first-week overwhelm and boost employee confidence.
Optional: Departmental or Role-Specific Modules
If you have a large organisation or a diverse team, consider breaking your induction into smaller, role-based modules.
Examples include:
- Field staff vs. office staff
- Sales vs. technical roles
- Remote worker onboarding
This ensures that every new hire receives information that’s directly relevant to them, while still maintaining a consistent base induction.
Plan with Longevity in Mind
When planning what to include, it’s important to balance evergreen content with timely updates.
Content with longer shelf life:
- Company mission and values
- Workplace culture and general safety principles
- Overview of roles and organisational structure
Content that may need updating:
- CEO or director welcome messages
- Staff interviews and voiceovers
- COVID protocols or evolving compliance requirements
Keeping a clear separation of update-friendly content makes it easier to refresh your videos without redoing the entire production.
Ready to Create an Effective Induction Video with the Right Content?
At Channel 1 Creative Media, we specialise in producing tailored induction videos that deliver your key messages clearly and professionally. With over 35 years of experience working with Australian organisations, we understand how to craft content that resonates with new employees and aligns with your brand.From initial strategy meetings to scriptwriting, filming and editing, we work closely with you to ensure every detail supports a smooth and impactful onboarding experience. Call us today on 0387430488 or visit our Contact Us page to start planning an induction video that makes every new team member feel informed, welcomed and ready to succeed.