31% of people have quit their jobs within the first six months (Peterson, 2005). Remember, less than 1% care about free food and perks! What matters most is giving your employees (especially the new ones) attention, recognition, clear guidelines, and a friendly environment! (Peterson, 2005).
All employees deserve recognition, especially the new hires. This makes them feel comfortable and confident in their new work environment. The on-boarding team members should have a basic package that includes these:
1. Welcome Letter
It is important to include a warm welcome to the new employee and provide brief background information regarding the company. It is important to share the company’s mission statement and the company’s core values. It would also be nice to include the name and contact number of the new hire’s direct supervisor or team leader along with the letter.
2. Information Form
This is a basic form that the new hire needs to fill up submit to the company’s Human Resources or to the team leader. This form should encourage the employees to share the basics: mailing address, birth date, emergency contact info, health issues. Why not add something quirky that would match the workplace environment such as favorite writer/author or favorite quote (for jobs that deal with writing), recommended apps or gadgets (for those that deal with technology), etc.
3. Company Handbook
You would want your new hires and team members to be in the loop as they start their new jobs. The Handbook should include a history of the company, the mission statement, core values, job description, disciplinary actions, safety codes, etc. Include everything that new hires should know and update the company’s handbook every so often. This could be in digital form to save paper and be easily updated and shared.
4. A welcome gift
You do not need to spend so much money on a welcome gift. However, it would be thoughtful and nice to personalize it to the nature of the job itself. General gift packets, however, can include these suggestions:
- Mints
- Chocolates
- Office supplies (pens, notepads, etc) with the company logo
- Coffee mug (with the company logo)
- Tumbler
- Lanyard
- Keychain
- Trail mix snack pack
- Flowers
- Fruit Basket
- Sachets of juice mix drink / juice boxes
- Snacks (like Goldfish crackers)
Don’t forget to add a gift tag! Here are some ideas on what you can write:
- “Welcome to the team!”
- “Mix and Mingle!” (awesome with a bag of trail mix)
- “Get your CREATIVE JUICES flowing!” (great with a gift tumbler with juice drinks)
- “O-FISH-ially part of the team!” (best with Goldfish snack pack)
It is important that new hires feel comfortable and confident in their new work environment. GO RECOGNIZE your new employees and/or team members with a fun and simple welcome package!
Go Recognize 