7 Things to Do on an Employee's First Day

An employee's first day on the job can be a bit scary, to say the least. The moment he or she walks through the door, there's not only an entirely new environment to adjust to, but also new names to learn and new locations to remember. Then there's constant pressure of making a good first impression.

All of this comes before the employee even begins to tackle his or her new workload. But with a few simple steps, companies can make this transition as smooth and comfortable as possible.

To help your business out, here is a list of the seven things you should do on an employee's first day. Follow these guidelines, and you're sure to win over your new employee, starting him or her off on the right foot and building a foundation for a successful, productive career.

1. Greet your new employee at the door. Sitting, waiting, worrying. Don't keep your new worker idling awkwardly in the waiting room. Make sure someone knows when the employee is arriving and have someone there to act as the welcoming committee if you can't make it in person. This small step can set the stage for the employee's first day and potentially the rest of his or her time at the company.

2. Prepare a comfortable workspace. Have a work area set up for the employee before he or she arrives. Make the employee feel like there is already a place for him or her at the company, not like they're an add-on or an inconvenience.

3. Get other employees involved. Don't let your new employee be a surprise, something unimportant and unnoticed. Make sure that your current workers are prepared, and encourage them to introduce themselves to the new employee. If they're being shy, initiate the introductions, especially with important co-workers. There's nothing worse than feeling alienated from the people you work with.

4. Teach the employee the basics. Think about what you would want to know on your first day on a job. Don't make your new employee ask all the questions and end up feeling like a nuisance. Start with the work environment: Point out the bathroom, the kitchen, the printer and the supply closet — anything that will be important for his the worker's day. And then focus on the work. Go over the employee's role in the company, but stick to the basics; you don't want your employee to feel overwhelmed. The worker is a smart person — that's why you hired him or her. The employee will learn the details later on. Today's goal is just making him or her feel like they are part of the company.

5. Establish contacts. Make sure the new employee has a full email directory, company phone list and so on and is directed to those persons who will be most helpful, such as a supervisor. Also, your new employee may feel like he or she will be a burden to co-workers by asking questions, so set him or her up with a co-worker with similar job responsibilities to help earn the ropes. If the new employee knows that this co-worker is there to help him or her throughout the day, he or she will feel more comfortable asking questions.

6. Join the employee for lunch. Do not let your employee eat lunch alone. Sit with him or her or make sure others are sitting with the new worker. There may be nothing more damaging on a first day for your new employee than to be sitting alone at a completely empty table in a room full people he or she will have to see everyday .

7. Get feedback. Check in on the employee throughout the day. Ask questions, make sure everything is going well and that he or she has everything they needs. This is the type of relationship you want to start with the employee from day one — open, comfortable and constructive.

With these tips, you can turn an employee's awkward, nerve-wracking first day into a pleasant experience that will get him or her excited about the new job. A comfortable employee is a productive employee, and nothing drives a company more than the hard work of those committed to it.

Need help with your HR? Call Bob Hutt at Access Companies 866-722-4715 or email at bhutt@accesscompanies.net