Day 1 Onboarding Resources

Day 1 Communication with New Hire

Either just before or on Day 1, we recommend proactively emailing the following list of resources with new employees using their work and personal emails (in case work emails are not yet accessible):

• Employee handbook and / or orientation materials

• Required HR forms and links to frequently used HR platforms (to request leave, submit timesheets and expenses, take required training, etc.)

• Information about the agency and team they are joining

If the hire is also new to the government, we also recommend referencing USDR’s How to Work in Government resource. For more on this see the private sector onboarding section.

Establish a Buddy System

We suggest providing every new hire with an assigned buddy that they can go to with any general questions if they are stuck or unable to find information on their own.

Establishing a buddy program can be invaluable, as they help create immediate camaraderie and seamless integration for new hires. HBR found buddies boost productivity and improve employee satisfaction. It's also a best practice for new hires to have a broader base of folks to ask for help when needed.

Buddy System Considerations

Here are a few key considerations to keep in mind when choosing a new-hire buddy:

• They should have sufficient knowledge of the new hire’s role and team

• Buddies should have a solid performance history and be in good standing within the organization

• They should be someone who has the time/bandwidth to commit to being a buddy

While commitment times may vary depending on the context, it’s always recommended to ensure buddies have a clear understanding of how much time they are expected to commit to buddy activities (i.e. 2 hours per week for the first weeks, 1 hour a week up to 30 days, etc.).

Value of Buddy Systems

Buddy systems can be mutually beneficial in a well designed onboarding experience. In order for the buddy system to be engaging and effective, it's important to ensure there is structure, such as outlining clear expectations (and boundaries) for the buddy role, establishing equitable opportunities for widespread participation in buddy programs, and ensuring managers are supportive when their direct reports are participating as buddies.

Buddy System Resources

There are several resources available online including this one that can help you begin to design an effective buddy program if one does not already exist in your organization.