Tips to welcome a new employee (anywhere!)
1. Swag their desk at a distance
Here at WorkTango, we're big believers in the first-day-of-work desk swag. We're not talking binders of onboarding paperwork. This is the fun stuff — company T-shirts, branded water bottles, pens, snacks, you name it. So when we transitioned to work-from-home, we had to get crafty. You don't have to go door-to-door to deliver a swag bag (especially if your offices are dispersed across the world), but do consider mailing a first day care package. If that's out of your budget, spring for an e-card — something simple that will still make them feel special. Want to go the extra mile? Have the new hire's team collaborate on a welcome card or craft a sign to hang in their home workspace, then send it for delivery on their first day of work.Boost morale — even while working from home. 25 Custom Reward Ideas for the Remote Employee
2. Send not one, but two welcome emails
The first two emails in your new hire’s inbox should both be from you. The first is a private email to the employee, welcoming them to the company and providing quick links to the employee directory, contact info for benefits and IT, and so on — all the things they need to succeed on the first day. The second email should be a mass message from you to the company, announcing the new employee’s arrival and encouraging others to welcome them. Include the employee’s name, division, job title, and photo. In the digital age, it's easy to be faceless. Give your new hire a boost by putting a face to the name for your entire organization. Bonus points: have employees fill out a "new hire survey" to help us craft unique welcome emails. The result looks like this:3. Fill their calendar
It’s challenging to get started with a blank slate. Before your new hire arrives, give them a boost by getting their work calendar set up and pre-filled with important training dates and any recurring meetings or stand-ups. Finally, schedule a time to meet with them 1-on-1 (more on that below).4. Give recognition for a first-week morale boost
If you're looking for fresh ideas on how to welcome a new employee, this is it. Using your organization’s Recognition & Rewards feed, give new hires public kudos within their first week. This public platform is a great way to have leadership and employees from other teams offer a warm welcome. Bonus points: have your CEO use the public recognition feed to welcome every new employee to the team on their first day.Learn how to share public recognition with WorkTango →
5. Have their team schedule a virtual lunch
When we onboarded new employees in the office, the first-day lunch was a welcome respite from the piles of paperwork and face-blurring parade of people. Now, onboarding can be a lonely experience as your new hire works through paperwork at home alone. Don't: Overwhelm their first day with chock-a-block meetings. It's a guaranteed ticket to Zoom Fatigue Central. Do: Reach out to the new employee's manager or team to help coordinate a virtual lunch, with delivery meals covered by your company.6. Share basic technology insights and helpful workplace tips
As HR professionals, new hires put a lot on our plate — benefits and insurance enrollment, coordination with payroll, certifications, and more. It can feel overwhelming on your end. But don’t forget: This is your chance to make the confused, anxious human being in front of you feel welcome and supported. So take a minute to think through the first hour of your day. What are the logins you need? On which Slack channels do you get the most helpful updates? If you need to talk to someone in another department, how do you look them up? Get that new hire at least that much information — either verbally or in their welcome packet.Engage employees, no matter where they're working How to Engage Remote Employees As A Leader