Welcome to the Team: 15 Ideas for New Employees

At first, it can be challenging to know how to make your new employee feel welcome. It's normal for them to feel anxious, not knowing what to do, where to go, and how to act on their first day. However, finding ways to make your new employee's onboarding process a positive experience (instead of dreadful and awkward) can help you retain employees longer. More than   69% of employees will stay with a company long-term if their first experiences are positive and welcoming. 

Therefore it behooves you and your entire team to ensure that the entire office welcomes them warmly and graciously. Giving the warmest welcome and good wishes to new team members sets the foundation for a supportive, invigorating company culture that values each individual — and your productivity will benefit.

 While it might seem like an easy task, it can be challenging to develop thoughtful and creative ways to say "welcome to the team." In this blog post, we will provide you with 15 ideas that are sure to make your new employees feel appreciated and valued from day one. (Updated in 2022 with six more!)

SEE ALSO: The Complete Guide to Building Relationships with Employees

Send A Handwritten Note

One of the easiest ways to welcome your new employee is to   send them a handwritten note. You can send it to their home address or leave it in their new office space. Although this might seem old-fashioned, it can have a significant impact on your new hire's experience and provide that personal touch they crave during their first few days with you. However, not every HR team or manager has the time to handwrite notes during their busy day. If this sounds like your situation, let us at    Simply Noted   create handwritten notes with real pen and ink on your behalf.

We can help set a positive and friendly tone right from the start with automated handwritten notes that greet each new team member without fail. If you tie your CMS in with our systems you can create workflows that trigger handwritten welcome messages for new employees without any input from you. It's the best way to ensure all the members of your management team, creative team, recruitment team — your entire dynamic team — get the recognition they deserve.  

 SEE ALSO: 10 Best Employee Thank You Note Examples

Have Employees Wear Name Tags

While this might seem like a no-brainer,   name tags  can help your new employees feel more comfortable when they first step foot in the office. It's hard to get to know everyone on your team, especially if it's a large company. Having employees wear name tags for the first few days can help new hires feel welcome and spare the awkwardness of forgetting their coworkers' names. 

Consider the importance of a positive first impression. Name tags remove some of the worry surrounding a first meeting. This puts everyone at ease and helps the new employee feel comfortable in their new position. When you on board a new person, make sure their entire department has name tags at the ready. Your whole team will come together more cohesively.

Give A Tour Of The Office

Although this might seem like an essential task, you would be surprised at how many companies do not give new employees tours of the office. Taking your new hires on a trip around their workspace and introducing them to key team members will help make them feel more comfortable when they first start working with you. It's best if the new hire supervising manager or boss provides this tour to begin to build a relationship and answer any questions they may have.

Your newest addition is a valuable asset, and they're likely to do amazing things, but only if the company welcomes them and makes them feel valued. So give them a warm welcome as you introduce them to their new work environment. You'll ensure a smoother, more successful journey and great success for the whole company.

Have A Manager Waiting To Greet Them

One of the most significant ways to make your new employees feel welcome is to have a manager waiting in the lobby to  greet the new hire  on their first day. This shows that your company cares about its employees and that they are valued. The manager can walk them to their new office, explain the itinerary for their first day, and answer any questions they might have to make new hires feel more comfortable at work. 

This is the perfect way to start the tour we discussed in the last section. Gather any team messages you'd like to share with your new team member and make them feel welcome as you greet them on their first day. It's a positive way to add them to your growing team.

Give Them An Employee Handbook

Another essential element of a positive onboarding experience is giving your new hires an employee handbook. This handbook should include information about company policies, expectations from employees, dress code, and anything else that would be helpful for them to know in the coming weeks or months. While this might not seem that exciting, it helps your new employee understand what's expected of them, which helps to set expectations and boundaries immediately. 

Consider creating an employee handbook that's specific to your company culture. This way, new hires can learn about your company's values and what you expect from them as they begin their journey with you. By sharing your company culture early on, you can help new employees feel like they're part of the team from day one.

Have A First-Day Party

Planning a first-day party  for your new hires is another way to make them feel welcome and bring the team together. This might include a coffee get-together in the morning or cupcakes in the breakroom after lunch. Having this kind of event will help give employees who might not know each other an opportunity to meet their peers outside of work and establish that sense of camaraderie early on in their employment with you. Whatever you choose, this is a great way to show your new hire that you're excited for them to be there! 

Not only does this send a wonderful welcome message to your newest member, but it also helps the rest of your team to see that you're an employer who values its employees and takes the time to celebrate their successes.

SEE ALSO: How to Plan a Surprise Birthday Party

SET UP THEIR WORKSPACE

One way to make sure your new employee feels comfortable on their first day is to set up their workspace ahead of time. This might include putting together a welcome packet with all the information they need to know about the company, their benefits, and their job responsibilities. You can also make sure their desk is set up with all the supplies they need and that their computer is logged in and ready to go. This will help your new hire feel prepared and organized on their first day, and it will give them a chance to hit the ground running from the start.

SEND A WELCOME EMAIL

One of the most common and appreciated ways to make new employees feel welcome is to send them a welcome email. This can be done before their first day or even after they've had a chance to settle in and get to know their surroundings. Either way, this type of email should include information about the company, their new role, and anything else that would be helpful for them to know as they start their journey with you. 

 A welcome email is a great way to introduce your newest team member to the company culture and what you expect from them in their new role. By sending this email early on, you can help set the tone. Handwritten is always better, but an email is a nice addition.

Give Them A Company Product

One of the best ways to welcome new employees is by giving them a company product. This not only shows that you're proud of your business and its products and services, but it gives new hires something physical they can hold onto as a memento from their first day with you. Again, this doesn't have to be a big gesture. It could be anything simple such as a company t-shirt, branded mug, keychain, tote, or whatever else you have on hand.

Encourage innovative ideas and drive employee engagement by getting your employees dedicated to your brand. Put your company name on objects around the office to keep everyone focused on the task at hand. Let them know that the company hired them is excited to see what they and their other team members will accomplish together.

Offer Immediate Opportunites To Get Involved

You want your new employees to feel like they are a part of the team right from the start, which is why it's crucial to offer them opportunities to get involved right away. Whether this means assigning them to a new team project or inviting them to be a part of any    corporate volunteer programs, this is an excellent opportunity to create a bond between the new hire and the rest of the team.

It's essential to find ways to make your new employees feel like they are a valuable part of the company from day one. By getting them involved in various aspects of the business, you can help foster a sense of belonging and ownership that will benefit everyone in the long run.

GET THEM INVOLVED IN THE COMPANY CULTURE

One of the best ways to make sure your new employees feel comfortable and welcome is to get them involved in the company culture. This might mean taking them out to lunch on their first day, inviting them to happy hour after work, or even just having a casual conversation about their hobbies and interests. The key is to make sure they feel like they are a part of the team and that they belong. 

 The company culture should be something that everyone can enjoy, so make sure your new employees feel like they are a part of it from day one. By getting them involved in various activities and events, you can help create a strong bond that will last long after their first day on the job.

HAVE A WELCOME PACKAGE READY

Another great way to make new employees feel welcome is to have a welcome package ready for them on their first day. This can include anything from company swag to helpful information about the business and their new role. The key is to make sure it's something they can use and that it shows you're excited to have them on board. 

 A welcome package is a great way to show your new employees that you're happy to have them on board. It's also a helpful way to ensure they have all the information they need to hit the ground running in their new role. By having this ready for them on their first day, you can help ease any anxiety they might be feeling and set them up for success.

Create An Itinerary

Creating an itinerary for their first week can help your new hires feel more comfortable with the team and at work. Take some time to make a calendar of events during this timeframe, including company meetings, training, meet-ups with managers or coworkers, etc. Having this kind of list gives employees something tangible they can look at to help them prepare for their first week. 

SEE ALSO: How to Create an Employee Rewards Program That Works

Invite Them To Company Gatherings

Similar to the first-day party, inviting your new hire(s) to integrate themselves into company gatherings is an excellent way for them to feel welcome with your team. Whether this means taking part in a   happy hour after work   or attending an off-site event like a baseball game or local fair, these kinds of events will help employees get more comfortable and acquainted with their new company.

SET UP A MENTORING PROGRAM

Mentoring programs are an excellent way to help new employees feel comfortable and supported as they transition into their new role. By pairing them up with a more experienced employee, they can learn the ropes, get advice, and have someone to go to with questions. This is an excellent way to promote a feeling of belonging and support within your company.

OFFER A JOB SHADOWING PROGRAM

A job shadowing program is another great way to help new employees acclimate to their new position. By allowing them to shadow another employee for a day or two, they can get a feel for what the job entails and what their daily tasks will be. This can help reduce any anxiety they may have about starting their new job, and it can also give them a chance to ask questions and get to know their co-workers.

Have Their Business Cards Printed

Having a new employee's business card printed as soon as they start is an efficient way to welcome them into the team. In addition, this will allow your employees to show off their first piece of company swag right away and establish themselves early on in their employment.

Have Them Shadow Employees

One of the best ways for new hires to get comfortable with your company and fellow employees is to have them   shadow current team members. This can be as simple as having them go around their department and ask about employees' roles within the business, or it could involve more formal training where they join a member of your staff during meetings or projects to learn how they work.

Buy Them Lunch

An easy way to make your new hire feel welcome is to buy them lunch! This simple gesture will show them that you're willing to invest in their time with the company, which can help establish a strong working relationship early on. 

SEE ALSO: 10 Thankful Ways to Say “Happy Work Anniversary"

Play Icebreakers With The Office

Playing icebreakers with the office is another easy way to help your new employees feel welcomed and at home. The goal of this activity isn't necessarily for team members to learn about each other, but rather, it's a fun and playful way to get them comfortable and acquainted in their working environment.

Send A Welcome Kit

Although you don't have to go too overboard with welcome kits for your new hires, having something on their first day shows that you care. Whether it's a gift card or snacks from around the office, any effort is appreciated by new employees. This kit can also include some helpful information such as the location of parking garages/metro stops if applicable or emergency contacts in case anything happens while they're working.

Make It Easy To Welcome Your New Employees

When you're onboarding a new employee, it's essential to make them feel welcome so that they're ready to fulfill their new role. By using one of our 15 ideas listed above, you're sure to get off on the right foot with your new hire!