New paper outlines strategies for organisations, managers in welcoming new staff
"From job posting to hiring process to day one, week one, and month one — first impressions matter."
This is according to a new white paper from the Achievers Workforce Institute (AWI) as it underscored the importance of the onboarding employees to foster belongingness in the workplace.
The paper urged employers to formalise onboarding and consider various ways of welcoming new starters in the organisation.
"Employees should feel welcomed no matter what room they're walking into," the paper read.
Organisational strategies
It outlined various strategies for organisations and managers in welcoming new staff. For the former, it suggested:
Consistent, meaningful onboarding process. This includes customising onboarding checklists to ensure a "comprehensive and personalised experience."
Among the steps employers can take under this strategy include assigning a buddy, circulating a welcome card, and sending some meaningful and branded merchandise to introduce the culture of the company.
Create a community of new hires. The paper suggested establishing a community on day one by creating a cohort of new starters through hosting welcome breakfasts or lunches, as well as creating a group chat for them.
"This helps them build relationships across different levels and functions and can serve as a place to ask for help or share lessons," the paper read.
Implement a formal process for internal mobility. This strategy highlights that newly promoted and internally hired employees also need to get onboarded.
"They don't need the same depth of introduction as a new starter, but a warm welcome to their new role will help them feel comfortable and well-equipped," the paper read. "From a custom card celebrating their new role to stakeholder introductions and an announcement welcoming them publicly, internal moves deserve as much attention as new hires."
Strategies for managers
Meanwhile, the report also pointed out that managers have an important role in making new hires "feel truly known and valued" by giving them a personalised welcome.
Among the steps they can take include getting the employees' name pronunciation right and ensuring these new hires have the tools and programmes they'll need.
"Take the welcome approach to the next level by making sure you sign and circulate their welcome card and take some time to get to know them personally," the report read.
Another strategy includes hosting a "team-specific onboarding" for new staff.
"Offer a physical or virtual tour of the spaces they need to know and offer personalised suggestions for how they might get involved in the company beyond their immediate role," the paper read.
"If they like running, maybe there's a running club or if they love their furry friends show them the pet parents' chat."
The Belonging Blueprint from the AWI offered more insights on how to create a culture of belonging in the workplace. Grab your own copy of the white paper through this link.
