"Welcome to the family!"

One of the most disappointing things for any new employee can be their arrival in a new job. When the offer was made, they felt like the most important person, now they're all but invisible. If your company doesn't have a standard induction or training period, there are lots of things you can do to make a new employee feel welcome.

• Make sure you have the tools of their trade ready for their start date - desk, chair, phone, PC, diary, Keys, Special clothing etc.
• Ensure all payroll, benefits etc. are set up and that you have all the information you need to pay them on time.
• Allocate time to spend with the new employee during their first day - introduce him/her to the other members of the team. Give them the grand tour of the premises and generally lay the foundations for the future working relationship.
• Ensure that he/she has access to the company policies, in particular Health and Safety.
• Select a team member and ask them to be the new employee's guide. This person: can make sure he/she is not left alone for breaks; show them where to find the various facilities/items they'll need; and generally look after them for the first couple of weeks.
• Ideally you should have a training plan prepared, outlining what will be covered, by whom and when. All involved should receive a copy.
• Arrange to have a follow up meeting with your new employee approximately 1-2 weeks after he/she commences, to make sure there are no issues or concerns that need to be addressed.

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