It’s August, and for many of us, it means starting a new role or job or onboarding someone with a new position or career. The first day at a new job can be exciting and overwhelming for an employee. While it is essential to provide a comprehensive onboarding process, which typically includes training, orientation, and sometimes even some paperwork, there are valid reasons for incorporating time to get to know the Workplace and colleagues on the first day. I have adopted my way of handling the first day based on my own experiences and feedback from others, and the version has been successful.
The day starts at 12 pm. (yes, at noon). We head to lunch with future colleagues, and after lunch, we’ll go and pick up the gadgets. We check the needed access, tour the office, have coffee, and agree on the starting times and agendas for the next few days. Then I’ll send my newbies home. Short, simple, and effective.
I have noticed that I belong to a minority with my unorthodox onboarding start, but knowing how I felt on my first day has made me adjust my way of building the first-day experience.
The Secret Sauce to Crush First Day Jitters?
Starting a new job can be overwhelming; some individuals may experience anxiety or have difficulty sleeping the night before. By beginning at noon, employees have a chance to gather their thoughts, prepare themselves mentally, and arrive at work feeling more relaxed and focused.
Beating Traffic, Boosting Happiness
My absolute favorite is avoiding rush hour. Depending on the location and commuting routes in Nordic capital areas, starting work at noon can help employees avoid heavy traffic during peak morning hours. This can contribute to a smoother and less stressful commute, allowing individuals to arrive at work in a more positive state of mind.
How Starting at Noon Sets a Fresh Tone for Your New Job
I also want to make a statement about flexibility and life balance. Starting later (or earlier) in the day can allow individuals to tend to personal matters or engage in activities that contribute to their overall well-being during the day. Flexibility can help promote a healthier life balance, set expectations, and finally leads to increased job satisfaction and overall happiness.
From Lunch Bunch to Dream Team
The new job comes with new faces, and you’ll have those in every coming meeting for the next 4-6 months or even more, depending on the company size. But nothing beats that feeling when you have a joyful chat with your new colleagues. Someone might doubt if vivid discussions among IT people are even possible, but if you haven’t experienced that, ask me to send you an invitation to our next onboarding day 😉 And even the sleepiest developer will be up by noon!
Formal Onboarding Meets Informal Integration
It is important to note that while dedicating time to getting to know the workplace and colleagues is valuable, essential onboarding activities are important. A comprehensive onboarding process that includes training, policy explanations, and setting expectations is still necessary. However, incorporating informal interactions on the first day can help create a more holistic and engaging experience for new employees.
So congratulations to everyone starting something new, and welcome back to all who didn’t make any significant changes!
