How you welcome a new employee to the team could be the key to their success and the company’s.
Kindness goes a long way, and a positive onboarding experience can boost engagement, collaboration, productivity, and job satisfaction.
Do you want to learn the correct way to welcome new hires? Most of the time, it starts with cultivating a favorable workplace culture.
First Impressions Matter
The workforce has undergone significant changes in recent years, in which undervaluing employees is met with trends like “quiet quitting,” “bare minimum Mondays,” and “rage applying.” The current business landscape has led to constant reshuffling and difficulty retaining top talent. As a result, organizations have had to adopt new business models and practices.
One of the worst things companies can do is leave a bad taste in new hires’ mouths. According to one Gallup survey, only 12% of American workers feel their onboarding experience was satisfactory. Yet, many likely say first impressions are among the most critical factors in new hire retention.
A warm welcome sets the tone and leaves a lasting impression on team members. You want them to feel appreciated, valued, and supported the minute they walk through the door.
Of course, a friendly reception stems from having a positive work culture — something managers must cultivate long-term. The more excited and motivated teams are to collaborate and work hard, the more likely your new hire will acclimate and contribute to your mission.
7 Ways To Welcome New Employees
When new employees join the team, you want them to feel a sense of belonging. After all, their role is an integral part of the greater whole. Incorporate the following steps into your onboarding process to make everyone feel welcome.
1. Deliver a handwritten card
It’s daunting showing up for your first day of work, not knowing where you’re going, what you’re doing or who your co-workers are. The first week is also the most overwhelming for most people because there is so much to learn.
Leaving a handwritten note at the newcomer’s desk is a great way to put them at ease. Keep a stack of cards in the office or have customized welcome notes printed with the brand logo. Then, have everyone on the team write something on the inside. It’s a simple gesture with a positive effect on one’s confidence.
2. Host a team gathering
Foster connections between new team members and existing staff by hosting a meal or coffee break. You could order lunch for everyone and create a spread in a conference room or take a smaller team out for lunch.
Virtual get-togethers are a way to build collaborative relationships with remote team members. Ask everyone to hop on a video conference with a cup of coffee to chat with the new hire.
These are casual, low-stress activities everyone will enjoy and benefit from. A new employee may even cultivate an excellent working relationship with one or two people who can help them soar in their new role.
3. Conduct regular check-ins
The first day of onboarding is filled with expectations, setting personal and company-wide goals, reviewing policies and explaining organizational values. As the week continues, new hires get a taste of the leadership structure and team collaboration.
However, it takes longer than a few days for a new employee to learn the ropes, which is why regular check-ins are helpful. A second 1:1 meeting — either at the end of the first or second week — is best for revisiting anything a new hire would have felt overwhelmed with initially. This could include manager-worker relationships, communication preferences, and performance metrics.
Check-ins are equally important for soliciting feedback on the business and workflow. Listen to what they have to say and clarify any misunderstandings they might have. You’ll want to learn more about their work ethic and preferences to aid their accomplishments. Using employee monitoring programs can be an efficient method for gaining insights into the performance of new team members and their ability to handle their workload.
Then, schedule a third meeting sometime later to review what they’ve learned, point out their strengths and areas of growth, and reflect on the previous weeks.
4. Create a welcome package
When someone shows up for their first day at work, gift them a welcome package. Create customized merchandise using the company’s logo, such as pens, mugs, water bottles, shirts, sweaters, hats, and tote bags.
Corporate swag is effective in cultivating pride and belonging. It demonstrates your values, boosts engagement — especially in remote working environments — and fortifies a cohesive workplace culture.
5. Set up an inviting workspace
Leave the handwritten card and welcome package at the new hire’s workspace so they see it when they arrive. However, tidying up for a warmer welcome is best. Remove clutter and paperwork, set up a pen holder, and organize the desk drawer.
You must also ensure they have all the necessary resources for the job — including pens, paper, Sticky Notes, computers, software programs, and other essential equipment. A clean workspace is a blank slate, encouraging focus and creativity.
6. Provide mentorship programs
A growth mindset starts with a commitment to being 1% better in everything you do. A mentor can help new team members learn the ropes and guide them to greatness.
Some people are excellent self-learners, while others need more personalized training. Setting up a mentorship or buddy program connects new hires with a seasoned professional who can teach, offer support, answer questions, and boost their confidence. For instance, pairing someone with a digital marketing mentor can provide invaluable guidance in mastering industry tools, trends, and strategies, setting the stage for long-term success.
Mentorship can even improve retention among new employees, saving the organization time and money in having to find another candidate when someone leaves. Mentors do an excellent job highlighting a person’s strengths and easing uncertainty around their new role.
7. Celebrate milestones
A newcomer on the team will put even more effort into their tasks to impress leadership. As they become acclimated to their roles, remember to celebrate their achievements along the way. This could entail pointing out something they did or contributed to during a group meeting.
You could also give them a small thank-you gift for everything they’ve done since starting. Even small gestures go a long way in increasing self-esteem and reminding new team members how much they matter.
A Positive Workplace Results In Successful Onboarding
Enterprises should take several steps to help new hires transition smoothly into their roles. However, a warm welcome establishes the most loyal and productive working relationships. Going out of your way to spread kindness across teams shapes success and a positive work culture at every stage of the employee journey.
