When a new person enters your workplace, it can change the social dynamic and put you on edge. But it can also be an amazing opportunity for new ideas, new energy, and even a new friend. Though your natural response to a new coworker might be defensiveness and competitiveness, welcoming your coworker will make you not only feel better but also work better and appear like more of a team player. And resolving to be a kind and welcoming coworker just might be the choice that gets you noticed and gets you one step closer to your own goals. So here are 10 easy things you can do to make a new colleague feel welcome.
Whenever I enter a new workplace, I find that some of the most awkward situations actually come up months into the job—when my coworkers realize that they never asked any questions about me, so they don’t know key aspects of my life. Asking simple questions like “Where did you work before you came here?” and “Where did you grow up?” can go a long way towards building relationships and making everyone comfortable.
If you’re not formally introduced but happen to spot a new colleague at their desk or in the hallway, be sure to go up to them, shake their hand, and welcome them to the team. Then you won’t be stuck in haven’t-quite-met-yet awkward social purgatory.
If you won’t be in the office on your colleague’s first day, leave a short note/card on their desk. It can say something as simple as “Welcome! So glad you’re here!” to let them know that her colleagues are excited to meet her.
If a workplace tour isn’t written into her first week schedule, your colleague might be a little lost. Take ten minutes to walk her around the building. Show her where the best bathrooms are. Teach her how to use the copier. She’ll thank you.
Are you sending a silly email to your work friends, sending out an invite for happy hour, or reminding people about the free cookies in the break room? CC the new person. This is incredibly easy and will make her feel like a part of the team.
It feels good to be appreciated. If you want to set the standard for a warm, welcoming, appreciative office culture, you can start by treating new colleagues exactly the way you would want to be treated. Friendly emails, smiles, thank yous, and pleases are simple gesture that go a long way towards a culture of kindness and mutual support.
If your new colleague brought photographs, plants, a calendar, or other mementos to decorate her new work space, be sure to ask her about them. You’ll learn new things about her and show her that you’re interested in her life.
It can feel like an easy and friendly gesture to tell your new coworker that her dress is super cute or her haircut is great. But it will make her feel even more seen, known, and appreciated if you can find something unique to notice about her. Does she always have energy in the morning? Is she awesome at motivating others, organizing calendars, or writing? If you can focus your compliments on her personhood, rather than her physical appearance, you can help build up her real confidence, rather than making her even more aware of how she looks.
If you and your work friends have a consistent time and place that you eat lunch, let your colleague know. That way, they won’t be shyly having Sad Desk Lunch on her first day.
This is not only a great opportunity to show your new colleague where to get the best coffee near the office but will also give you a chance to ask questions, learn about your new colleague, and get them out of that brand-new work environment, which can be a little stressful at first. Put yourself in your new coworkers shoes and ask, “How would I want my new colleagues to treat me?”
A version of this post previously appeared on Fairygodboss, which helps women get the inside scoop on pay, corporate culture, benefits, and work flexibility. Founded in 2015, Fairygodboss offers company ratings, job listings, discussion boards, and career advice.***
Welcoming a new coworker can be an exciting time for any organization. As an existing employee, you play a valuable role in helping onboard and integrate new team members. With some guidance, thoughtfulness, and effort, you can help new hires feel comfortable, get up to speed quickly, and become productive members of the workplace. This comprehensive guide explores simple, tangible ways to assist new colleagues succeed.
Why Helping New Coworkers Matters
Making new employees feel welcomed and supported provides multiple benefits:
- Smoothes their transition and learning curve
- Develops an inclusive, collaborative culture
- Reduces new hire turnover rates
- Fosters engagement, productivity, and satisfaction
- Cultivates knowledge sharing and teamwork
- Enhances the organization’s ability to reach goals
In short, proactively helping new hires enhances individual and organizational performance
How Existing Employees Can Help
Here are 10 impactful ways you can help new coworkers succeed
1. Introduce Yourself
Start by informally introducing yourself and your role Humanize the experience and set a welcoming tone Offer an open door if they have any questions,
2. Give a Workplace Tour
Show them around the office, pointing out essential spaces like bathrooms, kitchen, meeting rooms, and their desk. Orient them physically to the workplace.
3. Explain Team Dynamics
Provide an overview of your team’s structure and members. Outline key responsibilities and roles. This frames how the team fits together.
4. Clarify Logistics
Share need-to-know logistical details like computer login, email, HR procedures, dress code, meetings, and anything helpful for their daily work.
5. Offer to Have Lunch
Invite them to join you and colleagues for lunch, coffee, or other social activities. This facilitates casual connections.
6. Introduce Coworkers
Bring new employees along to meetings and events. Make warm introductions to colleagues and briefly explain what each person does.
7. Define Your Culture
Explain any cultural aspects unique to your workplace like communication styles, values, and unwritten rules. Describe the “how we do things here.”
8. Provide Ongoing Mentorship
Check in regularly to see if they have questions. Offer friendly advice and provide context to help them learn and grow in their role.
9. Involve and Recognize Them
Once settled, include new hires in relevant discussions and acknowledge their contributions publicly. This fosters engagement and integration.
10. Be Patient
Remember that onboarding takes time. Be understanding, patient, and willing to clarify or re-explain anything they need.
Common New Hire Challenges
Understand common challenges new employees face to provide better support:
- Learning new systems, tools, and processes
- Navigating workplace relationships
- Understanding role expectations and responsibilities
- Figuring out cultural norms and unwritten rules
- Having first assignments and decisions
- Finding time and support amid their own workload
Anticipate these obstacles to smooth the transition. Proactively ask new hires if they need any help overcoming these hurdles.
Tips for Busy Employees with Less Time
For busy employees with limited time, utilize these streamlined tips:
- Set up 30 minute onboarding coffee chats
- Quickly tour common spaces
- Introduce new hires at already-scheduled meetings
- Provide essential logistical info via email
- Check in briefly as you pass their desk
- Give fast feedback on assignments
- Answer ad hoc questions as they arise
In small doses, you can still provide crucial guidance when bandwidth is tight.
Onboarding Checklist
Use this onboarding checklist to ensure you cover key activities:
- Personally welcome new hire on Day 1
- Tour workplace and their desk space
- Introduce to team members
- Explain logistics like computer access
- Provide overview of team structure and roles
- Review organizational culture and norms
- Take to lunch or coffee in first week
- Provide mentorship and answer questions
- Give feedback on initial assignments
- Include new hire in relevant meetings
- Check in weekly on their progress
Customize based on your new coworker’s role and needs.
First Week Activities
Focus extra attention on a new employee’s critical first week. Help them get up to speed through:
- Relevant training sessions
- Reading background materials
- Shadowing you or colleagues
- Trying simple hands-on assignments
- Attending onboarding meetings
- Relationship building coffees or lunches
- Getting introduced to key contacts
Schedule time specifically to help new hires during this adjustment period.
Longer-Term Onboarding
Onboarding lasts months, not days. Continue to check in and support new employees on key activities:
- Ramping up on responsibilities
- Building internal networks
- Clarifying processes or systems
- Providing guidance on assignments
- Gauging work style preferences
- Offering informal mentoring
- Celebrating wins and milestones
Remain available to answer questions and involve new hires as their tenure progresses.
Signs a New Coworker is Struggling
Watch for these cues that a newcomer may be struggling and need extra guidance:
- Consistent lateness or absenteeism
- Lack of engagement in meetings
- Difficulty prioritizing assignments
- Failure to complete tasks on time
- Avoiding social interactions
- Declining work quality
- Irritability or negative mood
- Expressing self-doubt or feeling overwhelmed
Check in with specific offers of support if you observe these warning signs.
Fostering an Onboarding-Friendly Culture
As an organization, promote this culture to facilitate onboarding:
- Proactive involvement from seasoned employees
- Patience and support for learning curves
- Open doors for questions and mentoring
- Knowledge sharing and collaboration
- Scheduled onboarding interactions and events
- Recognition of progress milestones
- Feedback and assistance from managers
- Long-term onboarding roadmaps
Weave onboarding into everyday responsibilities at all levels to accelerate integration.
Onboarding Benefits Everyone
At its core, thoughtfully onboarding new employees creates value for:
- New hires – Gain skills, networks, and understanding to ramp up faster
- Coworkers – Build relationships and benefit from new talent and ideas
- Managers – Access productive, engaged team members
- Organization – Profit from talent development and inclusion
When existing employees commit to proactively helping new coworkers succeed, it unlocks benefits for all stakeholders. Embrace your role as their guide, supporter, and partner-in-success as they join your organization.
What to do when staff or coworkers undermine you? How to deal with a difficult employee.
How do you deal with a new coworker?
This may include brief meetings to discuss the workplace or how to complete an assignment, or you could suggest a few minutes during daily and weekly meetings for your new coworker to ask questions to your team. During this transition, expect to get a few questions as they learn how to work well in their new role and try to practice patience.
How can I cope with work-related stress?
Work related stress can be managed by developing healthy responses to fight stress. Tackle the main reason for stress. Learn methods to relax and have a healthy meal. Also take time off when you feel overwhelmed.
How do you help your coworkers get a better job?
Being compassionate by helping your coworkers can also increase their mood and job satisfaction, which helps them work better, and may make them feel more comfortable in the anxious situation of starting a new job.
How do you get to know new coworkers?
Whether you’re the new hire or a seasoned employee welcoming fresh faces, getting to know new coworkers can be an enriching experience. From discovering their work style to sharing a laugh over a fun question, the right conversation starters can make those first interactions enjoyable and meaningful. Ready to meet the new team members?
