Does your new hire packet include these four documents? If not, it should.
Welcome Letter
Including a welcome letter might seem like nothing more than a useless formality, but it’s actually the document that joins your entire new hire packet together. The letter should include a warm introduction, express enthusiasm that the new hire is joining the company, and clearly describe the company’s values, goals, and mission. You have probably taken steps already to expose the new hire to your company culture, but a welcome letter is both a further clarification of the culture, and an invitation to join it. It’s ok to use a generic letter, but make sure it has at least the new hire’s full name at the top.
Employee Information Form
For the benefit of both the company and the new hire, it’s important to collect some basic personal information and add it to the employee’s personnel file. Put together a simple document asking for the employee’s correct mailing address, date of birth, contact information, emergency contact information, and any important medical or personal information it’s important to have on the record. You can make this form as lengthy as you want, just be sure to respect the boundaries of professional privacy.
Company Directory
One of the hardest parts about starting a new job is finding the people that can answer your questions. This is where the company directory comes in. Depending on the size of your company, this document could be a page or two, or the size of a small phone book. Either way, it should serve as a clear and simple reference for seeking out information. In addition to address, phone number, and email, many companies are now including social media contacts in their company directories.
Employee Handbook
Hopefully your company has an employee handbook and has spent some time making it a valuable document. The handbook will serve as the employee’s road map though their first days and weeks on the job. Ideally, the minute they have a question, the handbook will either supply them with an answer, or direct them towards more information. And, much like the welcome letter, the handbook helps to explain your company culture and demonstrate how that translates into life in the office on a daily basis.
Your new hire packet should also have any information pertaining to taxes, benefits, retirement, and direct deposit that the employee needs. The goal, overall, is to make the packet something useful and informative, not just a pile of paper bound for the recycling bin. For more tips to help you refine your onboarding strategies, contact The Squires Group. Experts in employment for over 20 years, we have the skilled team of recruiters on hand to assist you with your workforce. Contact us today for more information!
