Welcome Gifts For New Employees

 

Induction gifts for new employees - Set them up for success

Starting a new job can be daunting. Most employees approach their first day with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. The dream start involves hitting it off with colleagues and feeling like you’ve walked into a friendly, approachable team. As a business owner or a team leader, it’s always beneficial to think about how you can welcome new employees and make them feel relaxed and comfortable straight away. Simple gestures like organising an informal gathering to introduce new members of staff and buying a welcome gift can make all the difference. 

Tips to make new employees feel welcome

Most of us have been in a situation where we’ve started a new job. It can be scary to walk into the office for the first time, especially if you don’t know anyone, it’s your first job, or you’ve been off work for a while. Employers and existing employees can be instrumental in helping new starters to settle in, build confidence and become part of the team. To make new employees feel welcome, here are some simple steps to follow:

1. Buy a welcome gift

Everybody loves receiving gifts. What better way to welcome new employees to the team than treating newcomers to onboarding gifts? Starting the day by giving a present is a brilliant way to break the ice and make that individual feel valued from the outset. From water bottles and compendiums to canvas bags, mugs and business card holders, there are options to suit every budget. 

2. Set up their workstation

Most new employees are raring to go and they’re keen to get started as soon as possible. As an employer or a senior member of staff, it’s a great idea to help new starters to settle quickly and get comfortable by setting up their workstation and making sure it’s ready for them. Add a note or a card to welcome new team members. 

3. Put the kettle on

It may seem obvious, but putting the kettle on is a really quick and simple way to help people feel at home in a new environment. If you’re making a drink, ensure that you include everyone and take the time to have a chat with new members of staff when you hand the teas and coffees out. 

4. Give new employees a tour

It can take a while to get your bearings in a new workplace, especially if you’re left to explore by yourself. Giving new employees a tour is hugely beneficial. You can show them different areas where they may need to go for meetings or to eat or grab a drink, introduce them to people from other teams and departments and make sure they know where the bathroom is, how to get into and out of the building and where to access services. 

5. Socialise

Planning a social event is a great way to introduce people to your team and encourage them to gel with their new colleagues. This could be something as simple as grabbing lunch or a drink on a Friday after work, for example. If you have new starters in the summer or during the run-up to Christmas, you could also plan a festive party or a barbeque to welcome new staff and make it easier for them to form relationships with coworkers. 

Brilliant ideas for welcome gifts

Many of us like to treat friends and family members to new job presents, but employers can also make a positive first impression by treating new employees to a welcome gift. There’s a huge range of new job gifts available. If you’re recruiting or adding to your team, you could consider personalised welcome gifts or branded presents to make new starters feel like part of the team. Here are some ideas to consider:

• Business card cases

• Mugs and cups

• Flasks

• Water bottles

• Notebooks

• Compendiums

• Pens

• Keyrings

• USB sticks

• Photo blocks

• Paperweights

When you’re exploring ideas, why not make your present relevant to your business or the employee’s new role? If you work in the fitness industry, for example, a water bottle is a great idea. You can also buy items that other employees have. If everyone has the same diary, notebook or mug, this cements the individual’s position in the team instantly. You can make your new job gift even more special by adding a personal touch. Examples include putting the individual’s initials or name on their water bottle or compendium. 

Why is it important to make new employees feel welcome?

We all want to feel comfortable and content when we go to work but there are other benefits of helping new employees to feel welcome. These include:

• Improving your brand reputation

• Promoting happiness and well-being

• Improving staff retention rates

• Creating a strong, cohesive team

• Encouraging talented candidates to choose your business

• Increasing productivity

• Boosting team morale

• Helping new employees to settle in faster

Statistics show that almost 70% of employees are more likely to stay with a company for at least 3 years if they have a positive onboarding experience (source). Good team morale can also make work more enjoyable, which boosts mental health and well-being. A recent poll revealed that 76% of employees say workplace culture affects their productivity (source). 

Summary

Starting a new job is one of the most daunting experiences. If you’re new to a team, it can be scary to walk into your new office, especially if you don’t receive a warm welcome. As a business owner or a team leader, you can help new starters to settle in and get comfortable by buying a new employee gift, introducing them to others, encouraging socialisation and giving them a tour. Making new employees feel welcome can help to boost productivity and mental well-being and it also reflects well on your organisation.

If you’re looking for onboarding gifts for new team members, why not check out our incredible range of personalised new job presents?