An onboarding kit is one of the most valuable tools you can give a new employee when beginning their new position at your company. This toolbox will be a resource to help them get up to speed on everything they need to know to succeed, including Day One expectations, and how to connect and communicate with the other people in their department, and even parking standards. Beginning a new job can be stressful, so it’s essential to do what you can to help your new hires get up to speed quickly and smoothly.
Start With A Welcome Letter
You want new hires to begin with a positive outlook. Here’s a snippet of a Welcome Letter as an example.
“It’s official, you’re now a part of the team! We’re so excited to have you on board and can’t wait to see all the great things you’ll do here. To help you hit the ground running, we’ve put together an onboarding kit full of information about our company, our culture, and our expectations ofour employees. We hope this will give you an understanding of who we are and what we stand for. Thank you again for joining us, and welcome aboard!”
Contracts, Documents, and Office Policies
The welcome kit should include an Employment Contract, Terms and Conditions of Employment, and emergency contact information. Also, include an office map, operating times, and parking options, so they can plan ahead for their commute.
Also Highlight:
- Dress Code
- Attendance Rules and Work Remote Options
- Lunch and Break Times
- Company policy on social media use
Performance Standards and Expectations
Every company has different performance standards and expectations for their employees. It’s important to review with your new hire what is expected of them in their position.
Assign them a mentor and provide them with an employee handbook. Be clear about your expectations from the outset. You should also make sure that they understand your company’s culture and values.
Management Structure
Include information about your management structure and team so new employees can get a feel for the company hierarchy. You might also want to include a company history or overview, as well as your mission statement.
Resources and Tools
This should include all the resources and tools they need to do their job, from computer setup to job-related software. Here are some important things to remember:
- Provide an employee directory and discuss the best ways to communicate with their team members.
- Include usernames and passwords for any software or platforms they’ll be using, as well as any other logins they might need (like to your company website or blog). If you have a company intranet, make sure they have access to that as well. You might also want to include a list of any helpful websites or resources they can use.
Building Loyalty With Branded Products
A lot of businesses include branded promotional products in their onboarding kit with their name or logo on them. Whether it’s employees pens, notepads, mugs, bags, or jackets, the goal of branded products is to connect with employees through tangible items they can keep to use at work and in their daily lives. They help make employees feel connected to the company, thus helping build loyalty. They can also be given as a thank you or to show appreciation.
A thorough onboarding kit with a collection of these materials will help welcome new employees and assist them in transitioning into their role.
