Set your employees up for success from day one with a new employee welcome kit!
Do you remember the feeling of starting a brand new job? That feeling of super excitement and dread over not knowing your new colleagues? The nervousness that comes with starting a new role? Remember?
Show your newest employees just how excited you are to have them as part of your team by putting together a “New Employee Welcome Kit.”
10 Cool Things to Add to a New Employee Welcome Kit
You likely introduce new employees at the usual department meetings. And you probably give them a policy and procedure manual. But that’s not all you could be doing. Here are a few ideas to consider including on their first day to make them feel welcomed and part of the team from day one:
- Names and photos of their colleagues. Print out a handout with names, contact information (if relevant) and photos of everyone at your company. This will help them learn names and faces faster.
- An organization chart. Showing your new employee in a chart form how the company is organized will help them learn the key players. It is also good to write down responsibilities of each department. If they have questions they know who to ask.
- Local goods. If your new employee is moving into your neighborhood from somewhere new, a welcome basket with local goods will help them get to know their new community. Consider purchasing food, candles, and other small goods from local businesses. Then include business cards so they can explore the shops in their new (area of) town.
- Branded gear. Everyone loves branded items! Provide them with a company t-shirt or apparel, pens, a phone cover, stress ball, blankets – whatever makes sense for your type of business. Your new employee is likely very excited about your company. They will enjoy the gift and wear it proudly. Plus, branded gear worn outside of your business is also good advertising.
- Lunch the first day. If you can take your new employee out for lunch or have lunch catered in, lunchtime is a great way to socialize and get to know your new employee. This way they don’t have to figure out what they are doing for lunch on their first day.
- Speaking of lunch….restaurants and other important businesses nearby. Create a booklet of restaurants nearby and other businesses you work visit in the area. You could also go the extra mile and include coupons or a gift certificate to these places. Another helpful thing is noting the distance from your location. This helps them understand if they can walk or need to drive.
- Their “favorites’: Send a questionnaire asking for all their favorite things (favorite food, favorite drink, favorite candy, favorite type of music, etc.). Then, create a basket with all their favorite things and have it waiting for them on their first day. They will love that you created such a thoughtful gift for them.
- Other team members’ favorite things: Label a basket with “These are a few of our favorite things” and have each current employee contribute something, along with a welcome note. This is a great way for your new employee to get to know your other employees.
- Office tools. Make sure everything is set up and ready to go when they arrive. Nothing is worse than getting to your first week of work and not being able to use your company computer, or phone, or any other system that your business utilizes. Setting everything up beforehand ensures their first day brings great success, not waste.
- Your mission and vision statement: This is important because you want your company values and mission known from day one. Make it clear what your business strives to be so that your employees are on board with your mission and vision when they walk through the door on their very first day.
What are some of the best ways (or worst ways) you have been welcomed to a new job?
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