Starting a new job can be exciting, but it can also be a little bit daunting. Trying to connect with your new colleagues and prove that you’re an asset to the team can sometimes be a lot of pressure, and it can take people weeks or even months to start to feel settled in a new working environment. Therefore, it’s important to do what you can as a manager or employer to make sure a new team member feels welcome and that their presence is appreciated. Below are a few suggestions on how you can do this if you are expecting to welcome some new employees in the next few months.
Think About Introducing a Buddy System
If you don’t have this in place already, introducing a buddy system within your teams for new employees is something worth considering. It can help new starters to feel less overwhelmed, and having another colleague who is already established in the team showing them the ropes can help to put them at ease. Their buddy might work on the desk next to them and spend the first week or two with each other on lunch breaks or attending meetings together. Ask your current team members if anyone would be willing to volunteer to do this because the buddy that you have assigned should be truly enthusiastic about taking on this role, rather than being pushed into it.
Give Them a Welcome Hamper on Their First Day
You could also get a welcome hamper prepared for them as a gift on their first day and get the other team members to sign a card to go with it. This would be a lovely touch and help them feel appreciated as a new team member, it’s also something that they can enjoy at home. Coffee hampers full of quality brands to help give them a boost in the morning could work nicely, but there are other food-based hampers. Alternatively, you could get them a hamper filled with luxury bath products so that they can enjoy some self-care at home.
Remember to Check-in with Them at the End of the Week
You want to make sure that your new employee doesn’t feel like you’re breathing down their neck, but it is important to set aside some time to have a quiet chat with them and to make sure that they are getting everything they need to help settle in. Book in a meeting with them on a Friday afternoon and use this as an opportunity to give them some feedback on their performance during the first week, as well as to give them the chance to let you know if anything has been bothering them or if they are content.
Organize Staff Drinks
Another way you could help to make your new employee’s integration with the team a little easier is by organizing some staff drinks after work at the end of their first week. Head to a local bar once office hours end on Friday and encourage people to stay for an hour or two to get to know each other better outside of the working environment. It’s an optional event, but it could be a good opportunity for your new team members to get to know everyone a bit better and feel more relaxed.
If you want to help your new employees feel at home in the team, consider these suggestions to make sure that they are welcomed properly.