Day one/week one with your new employee

Most people feel a sense of nervous excitement on their first day. Some people feel overwhelmed or stressed. Your new employee will most likely be feeling some of these or other emotions when they start their new job.

Here are some tips on how to handle the early days and help your new employee settle in.

Show them around

This will help your new employee settle in quickly. Show them where the toilets are, where they can make a cup of coffee or tea, and where their desk is. There will also be mandatory health and safety requirements, for example, to show them where the emergency exits, and assembly points are.

Introduce the team

Taking the time to introduce people in the workplace is super important. When you introduce people, make sure you give a bit of information about them – this could be their job title and how they could help them. For example, “This is John, he is our Health and Safety Officer, and he will give you a safety induction today and can help you with any health and safety questions you have”.

Discuss and agree expectations

Making sure that your new employee understands what their job is and what you expect from them is very important in those early days. Ensure that both you and your new employee are on the same page about responsibilities and expectations so you’re setting them up for success from day one.

Encourage them to ask questions

Asking questions can help new employees learn and develop in their job. Make sure you’re available for them to ask you questions and be patient and have a positive attitude when they do. This may help them settle into their new role and get up to speed quickly.

Give feedback

Provide feedback often in those early days so they know how they’re going. This may help them feel confident about their performance in the role. If they make any mistakes, make sure to provide constructive feedback in a timely manner to give them the opportunity to learn and develop.

Give them a task to do

It is important that your new employee has something productive to do on their first day and during their first week. Have some small tasks ready for them so they can demonstrate their skills and work ethic. This can help them feel like that have achieved something during their first week, which is positive for your organisation. If they have done a great job, thank them and let them know.

Invite them to have lunch with your team

Offer your new employee the opportunity to go to lunch with the team, to get together with teammates in the lunchroom, or to have lunch with their buddy. It is also a good idea to let them know about good places to buy lunch around the local area.

Check-in with them

At the end of day one/week one, ask them how their first day/week went, and if they have any questions or concerns. They will likely appreciate the interest for their welfare and opportunity to raise anything, and it should help set you up for a great working relationship.