Savvy business leaders know that ensuring the first day for new employees goes well is critical. That’s why it’s imperative that your department managers know how to plan a good first day.
Overall first day objectives:
- Welcome the new employee; make them comfortable.
- Reinforce their decision to join your company.
- Answer their questions and concerns.
- Communicate how they and their department fit into your company.
- Convey your expectations.
To do’s:
- Explain the schedule for the first day to your employee
- Have their work area completely ready
- Take them to lunch
- Introduce them to co-workers and team members
- Introduce them to the management team
- Show them how to use the phone
- Make sure they are comfortable with their computer and its software and programs
Answer questions and concerns about:
- Dress code
- Arrival and departure times
- Scheduling/taking lunch
- Meetings and typical meeting locations
- Breaks
- Evening and weekend office access
- Where to go for first aid
- Open/shut door policies
- Overall company culture
- Appropriate office decor
- Location of office supplies
- Company/department acronyms
Be sure you’ve:
- Provided them a job description
- Shared with them at least two objectives for their first 90 days
- Briefly explained the appraisal process
- Provided them an organization chart and employee phone list
And then, work hard to keep your new employee engaged, challenged and feeling welcomed at your company.
You can learn why employees leave a company from Overland Park, KS author Leigh Branham’s best-selling book, The 7 Hidden Reasons Employees Leave.
