Best Practices When Welcoming New Employees

We are hiring like crazy at Sportsman Channel – and that’s a good thing. But with all the hiring lately, it’s made me notice a “best practices” we employ, whether we intend for it or not. I like to think we are all living by the “golden rule.” You know, if it was your first day on the job, how would you want to be treated and welcomed?

Following is a list of items I hope everyone does already!

• The walk-around/introductions: After the new employee gets settled, we immediately give them a tour of the office. They are introduced to all staff, who they won’t remember, and shown the places they’ll frequent. Surprisingly, showing someone where the restroom is located seems to get forgotten in other work places. We recently created an office diagram with department color-coded. Its helpful.
• Readying their desk with the proper materials: Yes, that new employee will need notepads and pens. Showing them where to replenish these materials should also be included in your walk-around. On the first day of my first “real job,” were the following on my desk: paper pad, various pens, stapler, tape, post-its, a lovely plant and two company shirts. I thought, “Wow, they really like me!”

• Paying special attention to key people: There will be certain co-workers you new hire must interact with daily. It is especially important to take time during this introduction and explain the relationship between the two co-workers. Such as, “Bob, this is Meg. Meg is our Sr. Graphics Designer and is our GO TO person for all things graphics. You’ll want to be especially nice to her because she holds the key to helping you finish projects on time. Note that she loves cats.”
  

  You should tell your new employee that something like is this is very likely, and acceptable, in their new environment. Photo by Kyle & Kelly Adams

• Explaining the ‘ins and outs’ that HR won’t tell them: Every new employee has to sit through the standard HR introduction. But there are nuances. You should explain what rules can, or absolutely can’t, be broken. New employees are entering your world via a completely different world they’ve known for years. So maybe they were able to leave early on Fridays in that other world or they were wore jeans on Wednesdays. They may expect that EVERY company is like that. It’s your job to explain what is cool, and what is totally unacceptable.

• Deliver expectations: You should immediately be up front and clear about the new employee’s role and expectations from that. It shouldn’t be a guessing game what their job duties are and if it is, you’re going to have problems. A clear job description is your best friend.

• Take them out to lunch: It is always awkward for a new hire on the first day – do I bring a lunch? Maybe we’ll all go out? Relieve their stress by taking them out on their first day. You can review how the first few hours are going and answer their questions in a more casual environment.

• Include them on meetings right away: Don’t coddle them – the best way to learn is to dive right in!

I look forward to your comments. What would you add to this list? Do you do these things already?