Idea of the Month from Barbara Glanz
Go Out of your Way to Welcome New Employees
This idea is excerpted from Barbara's book CARE Packages for the Workplace--Dozens of Little Things You Can Do to Regenerate Spirit at Work (McGraw-Hill, 1996) $14.95
The Idea:
Think of fun, creative ways to make new employees feel welcome. If they begin work in an atmosphere of caring, they will be much more likely to continue adding to that atmosphere.
The Idea In Action:
One organization with whom I've worked arranges lunch with the president of the company for every new employee during his/her first week. Another has created a special company shirt that new employees are asked to wear for the first month they are on the job. (Yes, they give them two for laundry purposes!) Whenever anyone sees a person with the shirt on, they make it a point to introduce themselves and do something special for that person. One employee told me that she was so specially treated that she NEVER wants to work anywhere else!
Maria Marino, the President of Swinging on a Cloud in London, Ontario, creates welcome kits for new staff complete with a welcome card signed by each employee, a fun name tag, a map, and other goodies to make them feel special.
Tips:
Remember what it felt like when you were new. What can you do to help someone else have a better experience than you did? It is easiest to show empathy when you've "been there!"
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