A warm welcome for new employees
The first day is crucial for a new employee. After all, you don't get a second chance to make a first impression. Moreover, it’s often the case that tasks are carried out incorrectly because they are not well explained or because the inner-workings of the company are not transparent to the new hire. A few simple measures will help you avoid this scenario.
How can you plan the first day of a new employee in order for them to feel at home?
Preparation
- Make clear arrangements with the new employee about the time and place of the first day.
- Prepare all the necessary documents and place them in a "introduction folder".
- Prepare the first day carefully and ensure that the employee gets a warm reception.
- Allocate a mentor. This person will support the new employee in the first few weeks.
- Keep your colleagues, manager and, if necessary, the Human Resources department up-to-date on the new hire’s activities.
The first day
- When the new employee arrives, give him/her a hearty welcome and congratulate him/her on the new job.
- Set out the program for the day.
- Give a brief overview of the company's history.
- Introduce the new employee to his/her colleagues.
Who, what, where?
- Go through the building layout and give a guided tour of the most important locations. (Management and IT offices, kitchen, toilets, etc.).
- Go through the company's organisational chart to give an insight into the hierarchy of the company. Provide the new employee with the organisational chart and telephone numbers of colleagues.
- Go through the company's regulations and working procedures.
- Explain how the telephone works.
- Explain how photocopier, scan and any fax, as well as any other office equipment.
- Explain the rules for archiving and filing.
- Let the new employee know who he/she can turn to with practical questions not related to the job (usually you would refer to HR).
- Give more information about templates and the house style that is used in communications (envelopes, headed paper, signatures on letters, etc.).
- Briefly discuss the most commonly used terms and abbreviations that are unique to the company.
After the first day
- Find out from the new employee what he/she thought of the introduction / first day.
- Arrange a new meeting 1 to 2 weeks later to see how the new employee is getting on.