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Balloons and buddies that help new recruits fit in, Financial Times

Balloons and buddies that help new recruits fit in, Financial Times

18 March 2008

The Financial Times reports on techniques companies use to make new recruits feel welcome in their jobs, a process called ‘onboarding’. Some organisations assign new starters ‘lunch buddies’ and mentors whilst others receive hampers or corporate shopping vouchers.

Victoria Winkler, Learning, Training and Development Adviser at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, believes companies need to start engaging employees before they start, “for example, coming in for lunch with your team or line manager a few weeks beforehand.

“And as for that all important first day, at the very least you should have their desk and IT ready, a person around to look after them and their line manager to greet them.”