Recruiting an employeeis a strategic challenge for your business. It is essential toconvey the company's values and operating methods to the new employee.
However, the current health crisis and the widespread adoption ofremote working can complicate matters. In this context, thewelcome bookletis more than ever a valuable tool tohelp new arrivals familiarizethemselves with their professional environment. What is the purpose of this document and what should it contain? How can it be used as an asset forsuccessful staff integration? Here are some answers.
The welcome booklet is anHR document given to each new recruit on their first day of work.
This is a digital or paper guide thatintroduces the company and provides all the informationnew employeesneedto quickly find their feet.
An essential part ofthe hiring process, the welcome booklet answers new employees' questions and reassures them during their first weeks of (remote) work.
Mandatory since 2002 in healthcare facilities, it remains optional for other companies. However, it is strongly recommended that one be drafted to welcome newcomersto the team, especially if they are required to work remotely.
The welcome booklet aims to promote the integration and autonomy of new employees, who can use this document to:
Asan employer or HR manager, the welcome booklet also offers you many advantages:
In the absence of regulations (with the exception of the healthcare sector), the content of the welcome booklet is specific to each company according to its particularities and field of activity. It may also vary depending on each employee's employment contract, offering, for example:
Although there is no set format, the booklet should be presented as a toolkit that lists the essential elements for the successful integration of new recruits. Here are the five main sections that are generally found in the welcome booklet.
The welcome booklet often begins with a welcome message from management. Addressing new employees directly helps to make them feel valued, develop a sense of belonging, and humanize the company through the voice of its manager.
The aim of this section is to provide new hires with concrete information about your organization, its structure, and its ambitions. The idea is to help them find their place more easily, but also to make them want to contribute to the company's success by playing their part.
Present the company's activities, the jobs on offer, and its strategic areas of development. Using an organizational chart, identify the different departments and contacts, as well as any national or international locations. Finally, share the unifying elements necessary for acquiring the corporate culture: the history of its creation through portraits of the founders, vision, values, and social commitments.
This section outlines the main principles governing company life, based on your institution'sinternal regulationsand thecollective agreementapplicable to your activity:
If the company hasemployee representative bodies (IRP), indicate this in this section of the welcome booklet. If applicable, provide the names and contact details of the representatives, specifying their role and scope of action. This will reassure new employees, who will know who to contact if they encounter any difficulties.
To boost your employees' motivation, don't hesitate to detail all the benefits they are entitled to:
You can also provide information oninternal mobilityand the company's commitment toprofessional training(offers and conditions of access).
This chapter lists all theessential everyday informationthat will help employees find their way around their new working environment: site map, access codes for the building or parking lot, administrative contacts, etc.
To help your employees become productive quickly, especially when working remotely, offer them acomputer starter kit:
A well-designed welcome booklet helpsensure the successful integration of your new recruits. Its creation therefore requires special attention. How can you ensure that it is read and understood by your teams and doesn't end up at the back of a drawer? Here are a few tips.
In its traditional paper version, the welcome booklet often takes the form of a small A5-sized booklet. However, in a context of digitization and widespread remote working, thedigital welcome bookletis now essential due to its many advantages:
You can even go one step further by offering awelcome booklet enriched with video content. Acorporate film made by a professionalis a fun and effective HR communication tool.
The welcome booklet shouldconvey useful information in a concise and summarized format. Content that is too long and dense may confuse the reader or even discourage them, which would have the opposite effect to that intended.
To make your guide more lively and appealing, payattention to its visual presentation. Keep in mind that a picture is worth a thousand words: whenever appropriate, use photos or diagrams to illustrate your point. Apply thecompany's graphic charterto reinforce consistency between different HR documents and enhance your employer image.
It is essential to have the right support whencreating and developing your communication materials. The Autour de l'Image agency can help youcreate or redesign your welcome booklet:
