How To Make New Employees Feel Included
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Starting a new job can be terrifying. As adults in the office, we’ve got our laptops, phones and actual work to hide behind, but most of us still feel awkward, especially when starting a new job.
Did you know that one in three employees would rather go on an awkward first date than attend orientation for a new job? It does not have to be this way. There are many steps you can take to make new employees feel welcomed.
These are the tips for making relationship-building a crucial part of your new employee onboarding and showing your new employees how much you care about them.
1. Have new employees start as a group rather than alone
One of the simplest ways to create a sense of community is to have all new employees go through their onboarding experience together. You will provide an opportunity for new employees to form friendships and connections.
If you have an HQ, consider inviting all new employees to participate in onboarding there. Hence, they have a chance to become familiar with your company culture and meet people from other departments.
2. Pair new employees with experienced employees in a “buddy system.”
When you’re a new employee, it can be difficult to know the unwritten rules and norms of your company, whether it involves the protocol for taking a break or scheduling a meeting. Most new employees are curious about these aspects of company culture but may feel uncomfortable bringing them up with their manager.
A “buddy system” that matches new employees with more experienced employees creates a safe space where new hires can feel comfortable asking anything. You should also set up a schedule for the first few weeks, so the "buddy" is committed on taking the new employee out for lunch, showing them around the office and making sure they have met everyone.
3. Encourage employees to look for connections with colleagues
Your onboarding program can also encourage cross-team communication and collaboration. Managers can list out a few key staff from other departments they think the new employee should meet, either because:
- They’ll be working together directly, or
- They can share insights on how the organisation functions.
You can also encourage the new employee to seek out these types of meetings.
Pairing new hires with experienced colleagues can make it easier for them to get used to the new working environment.
4. Involve people from all levels in onboarding
Your organisation's onboarding program will be more effective if it involves people throughout your organisation. For example, nobody speaks about your marketing strategy and philosophy more passionately than your head of marketing.
When executives of the company take time out of their schedules to meet with new employees and answer their questions, it strengthens the idea that the employer genuinely cares about their employees.
You can take a step further and have your executives meet with new employees, either individually or in small groups.
5. Make proper and thought-provoking introductions
Meeting lots of new people in one day can be terrifying, so consider different ways of introducing new employees to their team, department and other colleagues.
Managers can send out a company-wide email or company chat to let everyone know about the new hire joining their team. On the team level, you should dedicate some time to get the new hire to know everyone. For example, a company-sponsored lunch as a team.
Play an icebreaker game such as two truths and a lie, or ask each person to share a fun fact about themselves. Find ways that allow new employees to connect on both an individual and team basis.
6. Give them the keys to the (social media) kingdom
Some companies have a private social media account that’s just for employees. New employees can record their first working week through photos and stories. This will help them build relationships with their new coworkers and allows them to participate in company culture.
Remember that it doesn’t have to be a social media account, new employees could contribute to your internal newsletter, blog or any other communication channel.
We might never fully erase the awkwardness new employees feel on their first day, but we can lessen those feelings and bolster community through intentional onboarding. Creating a connection in the workplace early on will pay off with happier employees. And what’s not to love about that?
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Source: Greenhouse.io
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