By Jane Burnett
It’s one thing for an employee to feel like they aren’t yet part of “the office tribe,” but that’s where you come in when it comes to new hires — here’s how to make them feel welcome.
Let them join you for lunch
Heading out to grab a bite with your work spouse? Consider asking your new coworker if they’d like to join you.
Unlike getting to know them while working on a major collaborative project, this is a very low-stakes situation. Give them space, opportunities to introduce themselves and offer advice. Also ask them questions about where they were working before and what they’ll be doing now that they’ve joined your company.
Heather Yamada-Hosley, a contributing writer for Lifehacker, writes about this in the publication.
“To build a strong working relationship, you want to get to know your coworker on a more informal and personal level. During their first week invite them to coffee or lunch. This makes them feel welcome and also gives you a chance to find out more about who they are as a person. By finding out more about their background and interests, you can also get a better idea of their skills and how you might work together in the future,” she writes.
Employers have team members show the new person around
Matt Straz, Founder and CEO at HR platform Namely, wrote in Entrepreneur that there should be “a team-led tour.”
“Anyone can show a new hire to their desk, the closest bathroom and where the boss sits. But only the team can point out which copy machine acts up, which nearby coffee shop has the best brew and to which conference rooms you should bring a sweater,” Straz writes. “Have the team, or a select few, lead the new employee around the office to give them the lay of the land. This way, new hires can get an inside look at how the office functions and can learn ways to make their time in the office easier. At the same time, the tour can help to break the ice, make new hires more comfortable and bring the team closer together.”
Connect them with someone who will help them succeed
A Robert Half blog post about what financial managers can do during orientation for new employees includes the point, “encourage them to find a mentor.”
“Many accomplished financial professionals owe at least a part of their success to a mentor. Mentors not only offer new employees invaluable advice and guidance, but they also act as a sounding board for ideas and concerns. Consider assigning a mentor to new employees soon after they start the job, or encourage them to seek out a mentor on their own,” it says.
While there’s no one way to welcome a new hire to the team, following The Golden Rule is definitely a useful place to start.
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Originally published at www.theladders.com
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