Picture this: It’s a new hire’s first day, and they're feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. They walk into an office filled with unfamiliar faces and an avalanche of information. Sound familiar? Inclusive onboarding can transform this overwhelming experience into a smooth transition, setting the stage for a successful journey within your organization. This article is your guide to mastering the onboarding process, ensuring new employees feel welcomed, informed, and ready to contribute immediately.
Incorporating company branded swag from Giftpack into your onboarding toolkit can make a big difference, creating a welcoming atmosphere that shows new hires they’re part of the team.
What Is Employee Onboarding?
Bringing new hires into your company is more than filling out forms and setting up emails. Onboarding is a continuing process of integrating new employees into your team and culture. This process continues after the first day until new hires are comfortable with their roles and colleagues. The onboarding process shapes employees' perceptions of their workplace and is crucial for engagement and retention.
Orientation vs. Onboarding: Two Sides of the Same Coin
While onboarding is a comprehensive process, orientation is just the beginning. Orientation is about getting new hires up to speed with the basics like:
• Office layout
• Company policies
• Team introductions
Onboarding, however, goes deeper. It helps new employees understand your company culture and feel valued as part of the team. Think of orientation as the first chapter in a much longer story.
Beyond the Basics: Creating a Welcoming Environment
Onboarding shouldn't just be about policies, benefits, and tech setups. It's about how your company makes new hires feel. A positive onboarding experience leaves employees feeling prepared to perform and excited to be part of your team. This emotional aspect of onboarding is key to attracting and retaining top talent. After all, engaged employees are more likely to stick around and contribute to your company's success.
Two Essential Components of Successful Onboarding
A successful onboarding strategy has two main components:
• Information
• Support
New hires need the information required to do their jobs effectively. They also need a supportive environment where they feel comfortable and included. Combining these elements allows you to create an optimized onboarding experience that sets new hires up for success.
Related Reading
• Small Business Onboarding • Onboarding Remote Employees • Onboarding Phases • New Team Member Announcement • Onboarding Meeting • New Hire Onboarding Survey Questions • New Hire Orientation Survey • Onboarding and Training • Onboarding Goals
How To Onboard New Employees Successfully With These 29 Effective Tips
1. Give Them Company Swag
New hires are excited to represent their new employer, but gathering any number of company-branded items often takes a while. If you want to celebrate your new hires, show them they are integrated from day one with company swag.
There are dozens, if not hundreds, of ways to enjoy swag. Some employees may want a hat, while others enjoy a long-sleeve t-shirt. Instead of sending the swag you enjoy to team members, you could give out swag based on employee preferences by using Giftpack's software to send personalized gifts to employees.
2. Send Them A Care Package
A care package is an easy way to make your employees happy. It’s private and personalized enough to make employees happy about receiving it. The care package’s contents depend on your organization and the recipient. For example, if you’re giving snacks or food, ensure that you know what your new hire is allergic to or doesn’t eat.
If the new employee is moving to a new city, you could include helpful items like a city guide or a certificate from a local restaurant. In addition, you can create a list of attractions, restaurants, and things to do that seasoned workers recommend. Giftpack can help you send care packages to remote hires if you don't see them in person during onboarding.
3. Provide A Welcome Kit
A comprehensive welcome kit can be a creative way to onboard new employees. The kit should contain helpful items to help them feel welcome and understand how the company works.
Some items you could include in the kit include:
• An employee handbook
• Office supplies or tools to set up their home office
• A map of the office
• Information about the mission and vision of the company
• Helpful information like dress code, working hours, parking, etc.
Remember there’s no need to go overboard with the welcome kit. Just have what they need ready when they arrive and make them feel welcome.
4. Personalized Welcome Video
When managing a remote team without in-person meetings for new hires, a personalized welcome video can make a meaningful impact during onboarding. Having HR, managers, or team members contribute to a short video lets new hires feel appreciated and connected. You can share this video via email or social media. For seamless collaboration and editing, tools like Tribute enable multiple team members to submit clips for a cohesive welcome message easily.
5. Schedule a Lunch
Plan a lunch with their manager and team members to create a welcoming environment for new hires. Organizing a group lunch before or after their start date allows them to interact outside work and build connections. Be mindful of the new team member’s schedule to support a smooth transition into your organization.
6. Send a Signed Welcome Note
A welcome note signed by team members is a thoughtful and affordable way to introduce new hires. Invite colleagues from different departments to sign for a memorable touch as well. Customize the message beyond a simple welcome by expressing gratitude and excitement for their arrival. You can also add tips for succeeding in their role and a small gift card to make their first-day extra special.
7. Feature Them on Social Media
Showcasing new hires on your company’s social media is an easy way to introduce them to the team and showcase your culture. Include their interests or fun facts in the post with the new hire's consent. This strengthens team spirit and gives prospective employees a glimpse of your workplace culture.
Here are some questions for a spotlight:
• Why did you choose our company?
• What excites you about your new role?
• What’s a fun fact about yourself?
• How did you hear about this position?
• Favorite food or two truths and a lie?
8. Host a Trivia Game
Onboarding trivia games offer a fun, relaxed way for new hires to acclimate to the team. To make the game engaging, create trivia questions around company history, policies, team members, and general topics. Trivia can also be enjoyable for new employees to show what they’ve learned during their first few days or weeks.
9. Create an Onboarding Wellness Challenge
Onboarding can be intense, so consider including a wellness challenge to support new hires' mental and physical well-being. This will let them know it’s okay to feel overwhelmed and encourage self-care. Create a list of activities, such as a walk, journaling, or a family dinner, and ask new hires to complete a few. Incentivize participation with rewards, using tools like Nectar to help manage the challenge.
10. Arrange Coffee or Tea Dates
Organizing coffee or tea meetups between new hires and their managers or team members helps foster early connections. These informal meetups allow seasoned employees to get to know new hires personally. You can make this a recurring event or consider providing membership cards for a local café to encourage these social interactions regularly.
11. Celebrate a 90-Day Anniversary
Since many employees consider leaving within the first 90 days, commemorating this milestone can boost morale and foster commitment. Recognize this achievement with a small party, whether it’s balloons, flowers, or a virtual celebration. For remote teams, consider a fun Zoom background or similar gesture to mark the occasion.
12. Facilitate In-Person Introductions
Starting a new job can feel daunting, especially if someone doesn’t know anyone yet. To make new hires feel welcomed, organize structured in-person introductions, whether one-on-one or in group settings. For hybrid teams, remote employees can be introduced via video calls, creating a welcoming environment even from afar.
13. Conduct Entry Interviews
Want to make your new hire feel heard and a part of the company? Then conduct entry interviews! During these interviews, you should ask the new hire what the company can do to support them throughout their employment.
Entry interviews can open the company’s eyes to how it can better motivate and retain employees. New hires might be hesitant to speak up, but entry interviews can make them speak their mind.
14. Collect Their Feedback And Work On It
A good organization listens to its employees' opinions and welcomes their feedback. Ensure your organization is ready to collect feedback at essential stages of a new hire’s journey. Ask them how they feel about your onboarding process and whether they have enough resources to succeed in their new job.
This will make the new staff feel listened to and integrated into the organization.
15. Assign a mentor
With the help of the employee’s supervisor, pick a mentor or buddy who will chaperone your new hire for the first few weeks or months, answering questions and helping them get integrated. If needed, give the mentor time off from their other tasks. Also, ask other team members to help welcome and settle the employee.
16. Organize A Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts are fun. Incorporating these events into your onboarding process and beyond can be enjoyable for your employees. Create a series of tasks and questions that expose new workers to the different areas of the company. Aside from increasing their familiarity with the different areas of the company, this activity can also be designed to make the new workers meet with all the other employees and learn what they do.
17. Offer Continuous Learning Opportunities
One of the key benefits employees appreciate in their roles is the chance to learn and grow professionally. Leading companies see onboarding as more than an initial phase, extending it over months or even the first year to foster continuous development. By providing ongoing learning opportunities, you set employees up for future roles and enhance their performance. Celebrate new hires by giving them credit for learning platforms like Udemy.
18. Gamify Their Onboarding
Add gamification elements to make onboarding engaging. If your company has a culture of friendly competition, gamifying onboarding can be an effective way to integrate new employees into your culture. With tools like Nectar, you can reward new hires with points for completing various onboarding tasks, such as security training or setting up direct deposit. Establish a budget for onboarding challenges to keep costs manageable while keeping the experience motivating and enjoyable.
19. Diversify Onboarding Formats
Instead of traditional orientation sessions or lengthy reading lists, create a more engaging onboarding process by incorporating different activities and formats tailored to your new hires’ preferences. Ask them how they learn best and offer options like videos, interactive guides, or hands-on activities. Although video content takes more time to prepare, it adds an interactive element that can make a lasting impact. Documenting your onboarding materials can also allow for easy reuse and adaptation in future onboarding cycles.
20. Highlight Available Perks
While some companies reserve certain benefits until after 90 days, others offer perks from day one. If your organization provides immediate access to perks, make sure employees know what they can start enjoying right away, and remind them about additional benefits that kick in after the 90-day mark. Give them time to ask questions, especially about complex perks like insurance and 401(k) plans.
21. Clarify Their Role's Impact
Although new employees might understand their job title, they may still need to see how their role contributes to the company's broader mission. According to a McKinsey report, many people find satisfaction in roles that support a greater purpose. Managers should explain how each new hire's position ties into the company’s growth and goals.
22. Consider a Friday Start Date
Most companies onboard new hires on Monday mornings, but switching to a Friday start can create a more relaxed experience. Starting on a day when the office atmosphere is lighter can ease any first-day nerves. Adjust the start time to mid-morning, such as 11 a.m., allowing the new hire to join during a quieter time and meet coworkers over a coffee break.
23. Implement a Cross-Functional Bootcamp
This approach allows new hires to rotate through various departments, reducing organizational silos and building empathy across teams. It’s also a cost-effective way to help new employees meet colleagues across the organization. While it requires coordination, the result is a more integrated and cohesive workforce.
24. Use a Cohort Onboarding Model
Onboarding multiple employees simultaneously fosters camaraderie and shared experiences among new hires, allowing them to bond and support each other. A cohort model can also streamline onboarding tasks and distribute responsibilities among company leaders. Although it requires planning, including aligning headcount and coordinating start dates, the effort can yield a robust and efficient onboarding program.
25. Establish Role-Specific Goals
Setting clear goals for the first 30, 60, and 90 days helps guide new employees toward full integration. Each phase represents a different stage: learning, contributing, and initiating. Work collaboratively with each hire to define realistic and motivating SMART goals that support personal growth and align with company objectives.
26. Facilitate Integration Activities
Organize team-building events, lunches, or other social gatherings to help new employees connect with their colleagues and feel part of the team from the start.
27. Schedule Regular Reviews
They should hold regular performance reviews and feedback sessions to check in on their progress, address any challenges, and set evolving goals for continued growth.
28. Foster Inclusion
Ensure new hires feel included in all team communications, company events, and updates. Consider engagement initiatives that promote a positive employee experience and make them feel part of the company culture.
29. Recognize Contributions
Celebrate their achievements and milestones through public recognition, personalized shout-outs, or gamification elements in an LMS. Small acknowledgments can significantly boost motivation and morale.
What To Include In Your Onboarding Program
Compliance and Safety Essentials
Start with compliance and safety training. It’s not just about ticking boxes; it's about setting a foundation for a secure and respectful workplace. Ensure new hires understand the key regulations, such as anti-discrimination laws and employee rights. Safety protocols are also vital. Introduce them to fire safety procedures, anti-harassment policies, and workplace health standards like OSHA. This helps them feel protected and informed.
Company Culture: Beyond the Buzzwords
Onboarding should offer a window into your company’s soul. Share the mission, vision, and core values. This helps new employees align themselves with the company’s purpose. Go beyond the obvious and talk about the expected behaviors, communication styles, and even the social dynamics of the workplace. This fosters a sense of belonging and prepares them for how things work around here.
Processes and Best Practices: The Unwritten Rules
Every company has its own set of unwritten rules. Help new hires navigate these by providing access to the employee handbook. Explain how PTO and sick leave work, and offer insights into procedures and benefits. This ensures they know how to function within your organization’s framework.
Technical Skills Training: More Than Just Software
Role-specific training is crucial. Whether it’s software tools, equipment usage, or job responsibilities, this is about helping them master the skills needed for their role. Don’t forget to familiarize them with internal systems, such as project management tools or communication platforms. This ensures they can hit the ground running.
Soft Skills Training: The Human Element
Soft skills are just as critical as technical skills. Incorporate team-building activities that promote collaboration and help build relationships. Offer communication skills training to enhance teamwork and reduce misunderstandings. This is about helping them find their place within your team.
Workspace Orientation: Making It Feel Like Home
Give them a tour of the workplace. Introduce them to key areas, such as break rooms and meeting spaces, and help them get to know their colleagues. Make sure all necessary equipment is set up before their first day. This is about making them feel comfortable and supported from the start.
Ongoing Support and Feedback: The Long Game
Onboarding doesn’t end after the first week. Schedule regular check-ins to discuss progress, address concerns, and provide feedback. Set clear expectations regarding performance metrics and objectives. This helps guide them in their roles and ensures they are on the right track.
Integration into Company Events: Beyond Work
Encourage participation in company events or team outings. Provide networking opportunities to connect with colleagues across different departments. This is about fostering connections beyond work tasks and helping them feel like part of the team.
Personalized Corporate Gifting, Simplified
At Giftpack, our driving force is to simplify the corporate gifting process while maximizing the impact of each gift. Utilizing our custom AI algorithm, we create highly customized scenario swag box options for you. We deliver globally and have an extremely user-friendly platform. We curate the most fitting gifts from a vast catalog of over 3.5 million products worldwide (which is ever-increasing).
By carefully considering an individual's basic demographics, preferences, social media activity, and digital footprint, we tailor each gift selection process regardless if the recipient is an employee, a customer, a VIP client, a friend, or a family member. With a wide range of locally and globally sourced gifts, we ensure that personalized gifting is accessible and achievable on a large scale, delivering meaningful connections across the globe.
Try Giftpack's client gifting service for free today.
Related Reading
• How to Influence Culture in the Workplace • How Long Does It Take to Onboard a New Employee • How to Onboard Remote Employees • How to Improve Onboarding Process • How to Create an Onboarding Process • How to Improve Connection in the Workplace • How to Build High Performing Teams • Effective Onboarding • Remote Onboarding Best Practices • Best Onboarding Programs • Fun Onboarding Questions for New Hires • Onboarding Activities
Why Is The Onboarding Process Important?
Elevate Employee Performance
An effective onboarding process can significantly impact how quickly a new hire becomes a valuable contributor. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that a structured onboarding program can boost employee productivity by up to 11%. This is crucial because it can take new employees up to a year to reach the same productivity levels as seasoned team members. Organizations can help new hires hit the ground running by offering clear guidance and support.
Enhance Employee Retention and Reduce Costs
Employee turnover is costly. When a new employee leaves, the organization faces potential costs of up to 150% of their annual salary. This includes lost productivity, overworked staff, and wasted training resources. A comprehensive onboarding process can mitigate these costs. The Aberdeen Group found that 54% of organizations with a formal onboarding program see greater productivity, and 50% experience improved employee retention. By giving new hires the resources they need to succeed, companies can reduce turnover and save money in the long run.
Improve Cultural Fit and Job Satisfaction
Onboarding isn't just about learning the ropes; it's also about fitting into the company culture. The 2018 Jobvite survey revealed that 43% of new hires left within 90 days because the role wasn't what they expected, and 32% disliked the company culture. By providing a holistic onboarding experience, organizations can help new hires understand and embrace their new environment, leading to greater job satisfaction and long-term commitment.
Related Reading
• Fun Onboarding Questions for New Hires • Onboarding Activities • New Hire Orientation Presentation Ideas • Fun Ways to Introduce New Team Members • New Hire Training Plan • Best Practices for Onboarding New Employees • HR Onboarding Checklist • New Hire Orientation Best Practices • New Employee Checklist • New Employee First Week Schedule Template • New Hire Welcome Kit • Onboarding Gifts for New Hires
Build A Meaningful Employee Recognition Program With Ease with Giftpack's Client Gifting Service
When you’re onboarding new employees, you want to make them feel valued from the start. A key way to achieve this is through thoughtful corporate gifting. Giftpack is here to simplify that process. Our custom AI algorithm carefully curates gifts from over 3.5 million products worldwide. By considering an individual’s preferences, social media activity, and digital footprint, we tailor each gift selection to create meaningful connections. Whether the recipient is an employee, customer, or VIP client, we ensure personalized gifting is accessible on a large scale to help foster inclusion and belonging within your organization.
Engage New Hires Quickly and Effectively
Engaging new employees quickly and effectively is essential when onboarding. Giftpack’s user-friendly platform makes selecting the perfect gift for your new hires easy. By delivering personalized gifts that align with their interests and preferences, you can create a positive first impression and foster a sense of belonging from day one.
Create a Culture of Inclusion
Creating a culture of inclusion is crucial when onboarding new employees. Giftpack’s global delivery capabilities make it easy to send personalized gifts to new hires, no matter where they are. Recognizing and celebrating their individuality can help them feel valued and included within your organization.
Strengthen Employee Connections
When onboarding new employees, it’s essential to strengthen their connections with existing team members. Giftpack’s customizable swag boxes provide an opportunity to create shared experiences and foster camaraderie. By sending personalized gifts that reflect your company culture, you can help new hires feel like part of the team from day one.
Enhance Employee Retention
When onboarding new employees, it’s essential to enhance employee retention. Giftpack’s thoughtful gifts can help create a positive onboarding experience that sets the stage for long-term success. By showing your new hires that you value them as individuals and are invested in their success, you can increase their satisfaction and retention within your organization.
Make your gifting efficient and improve employee attrition rates with Giftpack AI
Visit our product page to unlock the power of personalized employee appreciation gifts.
