New Hire Orientation Tips

Quick reference for what managers can do to support a positive first day experience for new employees.

Tutorial

Your New Employee's First Day

by

Tyree Griffin

Dear Manager:

Congratulations. You’ve successfully recruited your new
employee. Here are some suggestions to help you start off on the
right foot and NOT have that foot walk out of the door!

BEFORE the first day, the Manager should send the employee a
welcome note. It doesn’t have to be fancy just sincere! It
should list the time the new person (NP for the rest of this
article) is expected to arrive and where to go, the phone number
and extension of the manager and of course, directions to the
office. This can be e-mailed or sent regular mail.

BEFORE the first day, make sure the NP’s workstation is ready
Is the computer up and ready? Are there supplies - pens,
pencils, paper available? Is the phone hooked up and ready to
go? Is all work related HR or other material there?

BEFORE the first day, assign another employee to serve as a
guide and mentor to the NP. This person should be a very good
worker so that your NP is getting information from the best
source next to the manager. Also a person who is satisfied with
the job may encourage the NP that joining your company was/is a
good idea.

ON the first day, plan a welcome for the NP. Examples of this
would be:

• Give a welcome card signed by all the people in the unit.
• Host a reception where you serve donuts or bagels and
introduce the NP to everyone.
• Order pizza and have a group lunch.
• Put a small plant on the NP’s desk with a balloon attached.
• Make sure everyone knows there is a NP and encourage them to
take some time to personally welcome them.

ON the first day, make sure the NP is shown where the restrooms
are and knows the times for breaks, lunch, etc. If you have
scheduled other meetings for the NP, tell them and write the
schedule so they are not caught off guard. The mentor should
physically take the NP to the location and pick them up if
necessary.

The important thing to remember is that there may be a
tremendous amount of anxiety that goes along with the first day
on the job. If you want to retain your NP, make the first day
experience (and indeed every day) as positive as possible!