The Importance of the Meet and Greet

New employee orientations in some businesses have become a thing of the past.  Shuffling the new employee in, having them sit at a computer station to fill out there new hire paperwork, watch some videos on Code of Conduct and then sit them at their work station is considered “orientation”. Is this what’s happening at your organization?

What if i told you that the most important thing an employee can learn at your organization doesn’t have to do with benefits, policies, or the time clock system?  The most important thing an employee needs to learn on their first day is the people.

Social interaction is a necessity in today’s line s of business.  With an increasing amount of time spent in front of computer screens and less time in formal standard office situations the work environment can foster “lone wolf” employees who never develop relationships with their co-workers or even bosses.  Relationship building  especially where new employees are concerned is a necessity in maintaining an employee’s longevity and thus decreasing turnover.

The Meet & Greet

Introduce the new employee to their local environment Office mates, cubicle neighbors  etc.

• Start off by introducing the employee to their local environment Office mates, cubicle neighbors  etc. Should shake hands and know each other’s names so that a new employee can ask questions like “Where’s the bathroom?” and “Do you know how to use the microwave?” for the basic necessities of their early employment.

Show them the grounds and various departments

• Thereafter show them the grounds and various departments, having them shake hands with the Department Heads down to the Maintenance Associate.  When introducing make sure to mention the years the employee’s have been here, what it is they do, and the new employee’s job role.

Don’t leave out the head honchos!

• Don’t leave out the head honchos!  While the big dogs of the company may be busy, they are the most important introduce any employee can receive   Allow an employee to meet the CEO/Owner/VP/etc. and shake hands with the actual individual.

Have a group lunch, a social get-together, or event with the new employee.

• Have a group lunch, a social get-together, or event with the new employee.  Bring the employee’s together whether for a meeting or for something more informal and bring the newbie.  Here the employee will be able to interact and develop friendships as well as get insider info into the company’s “real” culture.

Each business has its own culture and in that culture are sub-cultures in the various departments.  By introducing the employee to key individuals and allowing for social interaction, we’re integrating them into the system.  The faster an employee can be adopted into the company norms, the better.

Does your company take part in these types of meet & greets? If so, what do you find the most successful thing about them?