We’re going to be getting a new coworker in about a month. He works for the same company but a promotion is bringing him to our office. I haven’t personally meet him yet but people who have say he is a hard worker, very fun, energetic, personable, etc. We would like to do something to make him feel welcomed. I was thinking we could do coffee, juice & bagels or something along those lines. Or maybe we could do a luncheon potluck instead? I also thought about making some welcome signs and putting those up? Or maybe “decorating” his office with welcome signs or streamer?
So my questions to you are: has a new job site ever done something special on your first day and if so, what did they do? If it was your first day, what would you like to have done for you?
Thanks!!!!
Added: FYI this isn't coming out of company funds, it's coming out of our pockets. If that helps....
Hmm, I"m surprised everyone is against the streamers & signs. They did this recently for a male admistrator in his favorite sports teams colors and he LOVED it! He hasn't stopped talking about it in fact.
I think a welcome sign with a few balloons in hs office would be nice and take some of the tension/ first day gitters away and make him feel comforted and welcomed among you.
I would also suggest a low key lunch. Pizza or some other food delivered that way you can all talk and he can get a feel for all of you also.
I think you should do something special for him on his first day. He worked hard and earned this promotion.
We do a meet and greet, either breakfast treats, or afternoon snack and have everyone come over to meet the new person.
It all depends on your office atmosphere. If you are high energy, really happy, and upbeat I think streamers & Signs are great. Our office is a little more reserved so we don't do that type of thing, but some do it for dept birthday's.
How nice of you to do this!!!
I'm not against streamers and signs..I would talk to his other group to see what they know about him first...is he a streamer sort of guy?
I like the pot luck lunch idea - a little more personal. I don't know if you have a large office and everyone takes lunch at the same time.....
When i was at my last job a few years ago - it was a small office of 5 - we went to lunch together...on birthdays and such - we each brought in a dish for the birthday person...Thanksgiving and Christmas - was a catered lunch from Chicken Out or some other restaurant...
It would be great to walk into my office or space to see a welcome sign. I think this is really nice of you!!
Juice and bagels too little, streamers and signs too much! When we have a new employee our boss buys everyone lunch. That gives us all a chance to sit around the table together and get to know the new person, as well as, make them feel a part of the family. If that's not in the official budget, then a potluck would be your best option. That way you aren't overwhelming him the minute he walks in, but you still make his 1st day welcoming.
That is really nice you want to do something to welcome your new coworker! Is there anything you have done in the past to welcome others? Maybe the boss could send a email early on his first day out to all the employees. Join me in welcoming _____ to the ________ blank office. HIs email address is _____ and his phone extension is ______. Drop by to meet him or join us for coffee and donuts tomorrow to welcome him to our organization. In that way, he may get to meet his immediate co-workers through out the day and meet others the next morning. If he is new to the area, you might want to put together a "welcome basket" with a local map (see your chamber of commerce), a calendar of local events, the latest local newspaper, information on how to get a toll tag or register to vote. If you don't have a company directory on the local site, make up one or update it and make sure it is current and accurate! If I didn't know him in advance, I would be hesitant to plan decorations because I don't know if he would appreciate it or be embarrassed by it. Also if there are other people that were not welcomed with such fanfare, they might be offended.
I think a nice assortment of baked goods....muffins, bagels and creamed cheese, etc would be nice and welcoming unless that's something you do on a daily basis. You could all sign a card along the lines of "Congratulations on your promotion and welcome!"
I had a bouquet of flowers delivered to me once on my first day and I thought that was so awesome. I wasn't expecting anything at all.
But, I'm a woman, so that really touched me.
Best wishes.
Duct tape him to his chair. That will let him know that he's REALLY wanted in the office.
LOL! Just kidding.
I think bringing some breakfast goodies is an excellent welcome.
Maybe schedule a lunch the 1st Friday he is there at a local resturant and you guys pay his bill. This puts you in a casual setting to make personal chit chat with the new guy. Plus everyone gets a little break from the office.
I would not do signs and streamers. Most men would NOT want this and would question their new team....especially if you don't really even know him.
I'm not much for streamers and signs. If I were a new employee, I may just enjoy an opportunity to get up to speed with who is who. It is so hard to remember names and who is who and who does what. Instead of streamers and signs, I would probably prefer an ice breaker activity to help me get to know everyone faster and also having lunch with one coworker everyday for at least the first two weeks or so would also help me to integrate into the fold.
I've never had any of those things done for me any place I've worked but with my company it will be par for the course.
I would keep it fairly simple. You don't want to overwhelm him and what if he is someone who doesn't like the spotlight on him?! I think coffee, juice, baked goods, fruit - brunch type finger foods would be really nice. i also like the idea of a card signed by everyone saying "Welcome!"
I think the idea is a nice one, to do something for the new employee , to make him comfortable, and feel at home. But honestly, the streamers is a bit much. We must remember that this is a professional environment but that we spend a lot of time here , so he must feel comfortable. I think that the bagels, juice, coffee, and fruit thing sounds appropriate. That way, it can have a meet and greet atmosphere to it, where you get to introduce yourself and different members of the team. Being the new person in the office before myself, I was more concerned with how I was treated once I started to do my job. So keep a light atmosphere, yet professional. The streamers seem a bit personal for someone that you do not know . But if you greeting him with light food and drinks, lol, I think he would appreciate that much more. Then, once you get to know him, and know his likes, you can do the streamers thing, for like a birthday or something. This is a very nice idea, and remember, its nice to be nice,,, because its nice!!!
Remember, this is a DUDE, not a chick.
Streamers & signs? No way.
Coffee, Bagels, cream cheese and donuts for breakfast? Yes!
Order in a pizza at lunch. Let him know if possible ahead of time that lunch will be ordered in that first day.
We have taken people to lunch on their first day, or done the breakfast buffet.
