8 tips on how to onboard a new member of staff

When someone new joins your team, it’s important to provide them with the support they need to settle in quickly and easily.  Here are a few things you can do to support them and maximise their success from day one:

1. Assign a mentor or buddy to the new employee, who can provide guidance and support during the transition period. This person can help the new employee understand the company culture, answer questions, and provide information about the team.
2. Clearly communicate the expectations for the role, including job responsibilities, performance goals, and any specific team policies or procedures.
3. Make sure that the new employee has access to the resources they need to do their job, such as shared documents, project management tools, and any other software or systems the team uses – this can be right down to the emails they have access to so ensure you have thought everything through.
4. Organize a team meeting or lunch, so that the new employee can meet their colleagues and start building relationships.
5. Encourage the new employee to participate in team meetings and activities, and make sure they have an opportunity to share their ideas and opinions in a safe environment.
6. Schedule regular check-ins with the new employee, to ensure they are adapting well to the team and the company and to address any issues that may arise.
7. Be available to the new employee, to answer any questions they have and provide support as needed.
8. Encourage the new employee to provide feedback on their experience truthfully without fear of recourse, and use it to improve the team’s processes, culture, and work environment.

By providing the necessary support and resources, you can help the new employee feel more comfortable and confident in their new role within the team from day one.

We hope everything goes swimmingly but don’t be afraid to bring up issues with them in a professional and clear manner if you see any unexpected behaviours.  It’s so important to set clear expectations from the outset.