New Employee Welcome Pack Ideas to Kickstart Onboarding

Explore unique new employee welcome pack ideas to make onboarding memorable and show your team they’re valued from day one.

Starting a new position is often exciting and nerve-wracking for a new employee. Businesses must create a positive first impression to help new hires settle into their role comfortably and without unnecessary stress.

This blog aims to teach businesses how to create outstanding employee welcome packs. For new employees to start their new positions feeling confident and ready to hit the ground running with all the knowledge they need to do a good job. 

The Purpose of Employee Welcome Packs

A new-hire welcome kit lets new employees know they are part of the team. It also gives new hires a sense of the company’s values and team culture they’re about to enter. 

If done right, new employee welcome packs can set the tone for a positive employment journey. In fact, up to 69% of employees are more likely to stay with a company for longer if they experience great onboarding. 

Though employees are officially welcomed to the team upon hiring, a welcome kit is a more tangible and meaningful introduction to the company. Employees feel motivated to do their jobs well when they have the correct introduction and training.

Essential Components of an Effective Welcome Pack

First impressions matter, and personalisation is a great touch that helps a new employee feel like they’re already part of the team.

Welcome packs often include:

  • Welcome letter
  • Relevant company policies and procedures
  • Business values
  • Company mission and vision
  • Employee handbook defining company culture
  • HR forms, including a copy of the employee contract
  • Employee benefits and how to access them
  • Position description
  • Welcome gift 

Choose practical promotional products that employees will find useful. We suggest choosing products that can easily be integrated into their daily lives.

Not only does this show you value your employees and their needs, but it also creates a lasting impression that extends the positive image of your company beyond the workplace. 

Depending on your business values, you may opt for more eco-friendly promotional products. Eco-friendly items serve as a reminder of your commitment to the well-being of your staff and the planet.

The Digital Welcome Pack

Of course, a tangible new employee welcome kit is not always viable with today’s technological advancements. Don’t forget there are also hybrid and work-from-home opportunities on the rise. Digital onboarding kits for remote setups can be arranged through various platforms.

Your digital pack should clearly outline expectations and provide links to necessary digital tools and resources should the new starter need further assistance. 

Businesses can also use the vast information on the internet and provide new employees with subscription and course suggestions to further their career goals. 

Welcome gifts in digital packs can include:

  • Digital gift cards
  • Digital magazine subscriptions
  • E-books
  • Audiobooks
  • Discounts to online learning courses or platforms
  • Professional development webinars
  • Virtual fitness classes subscription

Remember to personalise the digital employee welcome kit based on the preferences and interests of each new hire or the business vision. The idea is to get new employees excited to start their role as a new team member with you. This will create a meaningful and impactful onboarding experience. 

Making it Memorable

The significance of creative and eye-catching packaging and presentation cannot be understated enough. Your employee onboarding kit should make new hires excited to start their new job.

Making your business’s new employee welcome kits stand out with personalisation, engaging designs, and attention to detail ensures your new employees have a fantastic and memorable first impression. 

Personalisation adds a touch of thoughtfulness; creative packaging adds a touch of unexpected satisfaction, and well-thought-out welcome gifts add a lot of value. 

The packaging and the contents of your new starter welcome packs act as a preview to the environment that awaits them. So, think outside the box for contents that reflect your company values. If you’re stuck for ideas on promotional welcome gifts, check out our blog on the Top 10 Promotional Products of 2023 for inspiration. 

Frequent check-ins are also encouraged as part of the new starter welcome process. Whether it’s daily, weekly or monthly, your new staff need to know they have the support of their team and managers. 

Sample Welcome Pack

The content of a welcome pack often depends on the industry, company culture, and the nature of the work. 

For example, you wouldn’t provide notebooks and pens for employees working on construction or mine sites. However, you could opt for custom drink bottles or branded hats

Here’s an example of an all-rounded welcome package that would suit industries like office workers, retail, and hospitality:

  • A personalised handwritten welcome letter signed by the CEO and the entire team for that added personal touch
  • Staff handbook that includes information on where to access company policies and procedures (intranet)
  • Position description
  • Copy of signed contract
  • Annual and sick leave policy
  • A detailed letter that describes how to access and use employee benefits
  • Corporate hierarchy outlining the chain of command within the business
  • Company values
  • Office supplies like company-branded stationery
  • Access card and name badge
  • Training Schedule
  • A valuable welcome gift like a customised reusable coffee mug
  • Some branded company swag items like a custom stress ball or bottle opener

You could present this package in a branded tote bag with your company logo to finish off the creative and memorable packaging that’s bound to leave a lasting impression. 

Wrapping Up

These employee welcome pack ideas will not only welcome new starters to your team with a positive workplace experience but will give them the confidence they need to thrive amongst peers.

Contributing to reduced turnover, heightened job satisfaction and greater new hire retention rates, an effective welcome kit coupled with a thoughtful gift could be the pivotal connection between satisfied employees and your company. 

Ready to create your new employee welcome pack? Contact our friendly team for assistance.