Onboarding from Home

Even as vaccines begin to roll out, businesses are still facing some strong hardships.  Both internal and external restrictions continue to make day-to-day operations tricky for many businesses. One of the most challenging yet essential tasks is onboarding new employees.  

While getting new employees trained and granting access to intranets and other proprietary systems presents unique challenges, the biggest challenge is incorporating the new hires into your current team. It is hard to create a sense of belonging and camaraderie while working from your kitchen, living room, or bedroom and only seeing your coworkers on a computer screen.  

Below are just a few ideas for items that can be sent to new hires to help them feel like they belong, and are part of their new team: 

Desktop Whiteboard

A new item for 2021, this desktop whiteboard serves as both a convenient note board, but also as a catch-all for your office supplies. The whiteboard is about the size of your standard keyboard and includes a pen holder and phone/tablet slot along the top. The hinged whiteboard flips upwards to reveal a 3-compartment storage area with an included eraser. This simple item can be used to store all your work paraphernalia and keep everything together, as your new team member may be moving to and from temporary working areas. Find more info and images here.  

20oz Contigo Eclipse

This 20oz Contigo tumbler provides hours of temperature retention in a sleek stainless-steel design. Vacuum insulated and including Contigo’s TWISTSEAL threaded lid, this bottle is a quality piece of drinkware. Giving a name-brand, high-quality item such as this will help to make your new team member feel appreciated despite being away from the team.  Find more info and images here. 

Scribe LCD Memo Tablet

Keep your workspace clear of a cluster of notebooks and sticky notes with this LCD memo tablet. An eco-friendly alternative to traditional paper, this LCD tablet features a lockout switch to ensure notes are never accidentally erased. The included pen doubles as a stand to prop the tablet up to a comfortable viewing angle. Help to maintain your employee’s work/life balance by helping to keep their home clear of stacks of papers and notes in favor of electronic alternatives.  Find more info and images here. 

Conclusion

While working from home and hiring from home are never ideal, there are many things businesses can do to ensure a smooth onboarding experience. Each of these products can easily transition back to the workplace as permitted by employers.  Finding useful and thoughtful ways to show new employees they are valued is a great way to ease tensions during these difficult times and create positive, and lasting memories.