January is National Mentoring Month, and because of remote work and uncertainty in career stability, there has never been a better time for companies to create a formal mentorship program. Fostering connection amongst employees could lead to greater feelings of commitment to the company and their role. Read on to learn how mentorship programs can benefit the mentee, the mentor and the company, and some tips for success. 

Benefits to the mentee

  • Provides guidance towards a path to advancement from the mentee’s role. By learning more about the responsibilities of more senior roles, they can be sure to obtain the skills and experience necessary for success. 
  • Improves job satisfaction and productivity. By having a sounding board and someone in the organization with whom they feel comfortable sharing misunderstandings or challenges, their levels of stress and anxiety may be lowered, and overall wellbeing improved.  

Benefits to the mentor

  • Being a mentor has the potential to combat burnout. Giving to others can provide a deep sense of purpose and joy.  
  • Develops leadership skills and improved confidence and motivation for the mentor. 

Benefits to the company

  • Multi-generational knowledge transfer. As more senior employees connect with younger employees, there are learning opportunities in both directions. 
  • Higher engagement and improved retention rates.  

Tips for Success

  • Provide a framework: it’s important that both the mentor and the mentee understand the expectations of the mentor relationship. Provide guidelines specific to meeting frequency, expected duration of the relationship, and suggested topics to cover.  
  • Reinforce the relationship: check in with the mentor and mentee at scheduled intervals to see how the relationship is progressing. Also, providing a budget to cover coffee or tea for the mentoring meetings will help send the message that the company supports the program.  

Additional Resources

Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, medical or tax advice. It provides general information and is not intended to encompass all compliance and legal obligations that may be applicable. This information and any questions as to your specific circumstances should be reviewed with your respective legal counsel and/or tax advisor as we do not provide legal or tax advice. Please note that this information may be subject to change based on legislative changes. © 2021 Sequoia Benefits & Insurance Services, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Shannon Arens – Shannon is a Wellbeing Consultant at Sequoia. She partners closely with Enterprise clients to assess, develop, and recommend a holistic wellbeing strategy designed to the meet the diverse needs of employees. Outside of work, Shannon enjoys spending time with her two children, going for a run, or relaxing in her backyard.