Guide to Effective Employee Welcome Packs

When it comes to welcoming your new team members, first impressions really matter! One of the simplest, most effective ways to ensure new hires feel valued and excited about joining your company is by giving them thoughtfully curated employee welcome packs. Onboarding welcome packs, or swag boxes for new hires make a huge difference by creating a sense of belonging from day one.

They also act as performance enhancers, because you can include the tools, knowledge, and resources which supports their success. In turn, this helps the new recruit to become a fully contributing team member much sooner, which improves productivity and retention. Research shows that organisations with a well-planned onboarding process increase retention by 82%.

Why welcome packs matter

In today’s workplace employees expect flexibility, a work-life balance, and a great company culture. In giving a new member of staff a welcome pack, you are building a more engaged workforce – one person at a time. After all, employees want to feel engaged because they gain a sense of purpose from their job.

For most employees, their first day can feel a little overwhelming. They are meeting new colleagues, learning new systems, and getting used to the company’s culture. Welcome packs have become an essential part of the onboarding process and the employee onboarding experience. A well-designed welcome pack acts as a strong cultural gesture, letting them know they’re appreciated right from the start.

New staff remember such actions – as do the employees involved in welcoming their new colleagues. Small actions like this build a culture of kindness and concern for another’s wellbeing from the bottom up. ‘Kind’ means that after their first day/week/month any difficulties encountered are met with a listening ear and support.

What to include in onboarding welcome packs

Whether you’re welcoming someone into the office or sending out remote employee swag kits, it’s important to ensure your welcome packs hit the mark. Think about it from the perspective of a new hire – help them to feel prepared and welcomed on their first day. A well-designed welcome pack includes a mix of essential information and guides, practical items, and it also reflects your brand values and culture.

Let’s get creative and design an effective onboarding kit for your new recruits:

1. First day essentials for employees

Provide information in your onboarding welcome pack that will help new recruits get started quickly and efficiently. Equip them with knowledge and tools that help them to navigate their new working environment, and give them confidence as they start their new role.

• A card or letter from the CEO or line manager with a message to welcome new recruits onboard
• Include QR codes linked to the company handbook and information on company policies and various benefits
• Guides to help set-up email accounts and laptops and provide access to tools with support links
• Access cards, lanyards and parking passes are required from their first day

2. Custom branded gift boxes

Include promotional products, branded with your logo and message, in custom branded gift boxes. This is an excellent way to create a deeper sense of connection with your brand, while also supplying useful items to new hires.

• Branded notebooks & document holders are essential for taking notes and being organised
• Quality branded pens send the right message to new hires
• Drinkware, including branded reusable cups & water bottles
• Branded tech & mobile accessories including headphones, connecting cables and phone stands are always appreciated
• Selected items are presented in custom branded gift boxes, in various sizes, and customised with your branding

3. Company culture & values

Make sure to build custom branded gift boxes that align with your company’s identity and values. An employee welcome pack is an ideal opportunity to introduce new hires to your company culture. Highlight diversity and equality initiatives in the workplace to make everyone feel welcome. If sustainability is important to your organisation, select promotional products and packing that are eco-friendly and that promote sustainability in the workplace, such as reusable bottles and cups.

Supporting employee wellbeing is a top priority in the modern workplace. Adding wellness items to your welcome packs, such as a branded lunch box or a custom cooler bag to encourage healthy eating, shows that you care about employee wellbeing.

4. Company swag

Corporate swag has really developed in recent years, and it’s now possible to source premium brand products, branded with your logo. It’s really important to choose quality branded clothing for your employees. They are your brand ambassadors outside of the workplace and in the community. Consider brands such North Face fleeces and Helly Hansen jackets, branded with your logo, to really impress new recruits.

Employees are happy to use your company branded umbrellas, when the umbrella is high-quality and storm proof. Branded backpacks also make your brand more visible at outdoor sports events, around town, and in your community.

5. Creative & fun

Showing your creativity or fun side with bespoke welcome packs is a great way to connect with new hires. Choose clever products that reflect your industry or employee roles. If travel is a big part of a company culture, include travel accessories in the welcome packs like travel adapters, toiletry bags and travel pillows. Include fun items such as company branded socks and goodies. Joining a new company can be intimidating, so make new hires feel like they belong with personalised messages and items that demonstrate that you have taken time to get to know them.

Remote employee swag kits

With more teams working remotely, sending remote employee swag kits is a thoughtful way to ensure everyone feels connected, regardless of location. These kits can go beyond standard office supplies and incorporate items that improve the work-from-home experience, such as tech and mobile gifts. You may also need to consider a storage & fulfilment service to ensure that welcome packs are delivered to employee home addresses in a timely manner.

Creating a memorable onboarding experience

An onboarding welcome pack is more than just a box of items – it’s a reflection of your company’s culture and values. The goal is to make your new hires feel excited, supported and ready to start a new chapter with you. Including the right mix of information with practical branded items, while sharing your company culture and personality, will leave a lasting, positive impression.

Well-thought-out swag boxes for new hires work not only to welcome new hires. They set an encouraging tone for a positive employee experience from day one. They help to build a caring community, sharing common values, that wants to stay together, which reduces staff turnover. Contact the team at Gift Innovations to elevate your employee onboarding experience today.

About the Author

Dr. Paul Gadie is the Managing Director of Gift Innovations with wide experience in the corporate gifting industry. He holds various degrees including a doctorate in Theology, which focuses on leadership. He has worked in academia, researching, and lecturing in Theology & Religious Studies and managing academic partnerships across the UK, Europe, and Africa. He is also a published author; in his research, he encourages the development of leaders with a vision to work with and persuade others, rather than to control and command.