Share:
Before the pandemic, the word many Asante employees used to describe their work teams was “family.” The COVID-19 pandemic has tested that ideal and altered our workplace (and work space). Bonds once forged through on-site social gatherings or hallway conversations must now be formed in new ways.
Today, as Asante works to fill more than 1,000 open positions and keep those talented new employees, it takes every one of us — from staff level to executives — to create a warm and engaging work environment. Here are a few ways we can all welcome our newest employees and help them feel like part of our work family.
Give them a warm welcome. If they work on-site, maybe give them a card signed by the team that expresses how glad the group is they’re here. The card could be accompanied by an Asante mug (ordered through Guest Services). When father-to-be Harrison Bent joined Asante Communications and Marketing, each person in the department gave him and his wife a children’s book to start a library for his newborn twins.
Get personal. Everyone has a life outside of work and learning about new team members can create affinity. With their permission, share some details about the person’s life when introducing them. What is their hidden talent? What’s their favorite animal? Have they ever been mistaken for a celebrity?
Break the ice. Start your meeting with a game such as Would You Rather? or Two Truths and a Lie. This has the advantage of helping the new team member get to know their co-workers as well.
Ease their way. Joining any team can be daunting and not everything can be covered in new-employee orientation. Some companies use a buddy system that pairs each new hire with an established employee who can help them navigate everything from timecards to setting up voicemail and interpreting acronyms and verbal shorthand.
Organize team activities. Pandemic precautions discourage indoor gatherings, but outdoor activities are fair game. Paisley Meyer, patient care services manager at ARRMC’s Heart Center, invites co-workers to participate in a community soccer team and has plans for a ski weekend at Mt. Ashland.
“None of these are large events; generally 10 to 15 people,” he said. “But they help new team members meet each other and build relationships.”
Celebrate. It doesn’t take a big achievement to merit a celebration and it does wonders for team-building. Yvonne Groenhout, a critical care nurse at ATRMC, might be the master of creative celebration. She acknowledges birthdays with an announcement in the break room and personally deliveres gifts. Before the pandemic, she treated the staff on National S’mores Day and National Hot Dog Month (weenie whistle included). She even arranged for a food truck to park outside during Nurse’s Week.
Acknowledge. Everyone wants the security of knowing they’re valued, and that’s especially true for people just joining the organization. Personalized cards from leaders that recognize a recent success or a skill that an employee brings are powerful gestures of appreciation. ARRMC’s NICU, managed by Shannan Widboom, makes it a point to share the positive strengths of team members during staff meetings.
These are just a few ideas to welcome your new team members. If you have some of your own, or have great examples from past workplaces, please share them by emailing
re****************@as****.org
.
If you have a question, please contact the author or relevant department directly.
