Skip to main content
Contact Sales Support Careers
United States (English)
Americas
  • United States (English)
  • Canada (English)
  • Canada (Français)
  • Mexico (Español)
Europe, Middle East & Africa
  • United Kingdom (English)
  • France (Français)
  • Deutschland (Deutsch)
  • Nederland (Nederlands)
  • Other EMEA Locations
Asia/Pacific
  • India (English)
  • Australia (English)
UKG logo UKG logo
Search
Get started Get started
    • Solutions
      Solutions by Need
      People icon
      Human Resources
      Payroll icon
      Payroll
      Talent icon
      Talent
      People connected icon
      HR Service Delivery
      Clock with Person
      Time & Attendance
      Calendar day icon
      Scheduling
      Document check shield icon
      Compliance
      Chart bar statistics icon
      Reporting and Analytics
      Product Suites
      UKG Pro

      A culture-driven HCM suite designed to support your enterprise organization's needs.

      UKG Dimensions

      Workforce Management solution helping you redefine the work experience for your people.

      UKG Ready

      HR solution to help small and mid-size organizations focus on growth and making a difference for your people, every time.

      View all products
      Find the product that best fits your needs.
      Get started Get started
      get started
    • Customer Experience
      The UKG Promise

      With over 70 years of expertise with BOTH people systems and systems of work, no one knows people and how they work better than UKG.

      Our Promise
      Customer Experience

      We think you’re pretty special when you’re a UKG Customer. That’s why we build products designed to inspire your people — and your organization — to grow and thrive.

      Partner for Life
      Implementation
      Support Experience
      UKG Community
      Working Smarter Café
      Customer Stories
      Belle Tire

      UKG Pro streamlines and automates administrative and HR tasks, so that field teams and managers can spend more time with customers, and coach, train, and listen to their people.

      Eventide Senior Living Communities

      Eventide Senior Living Communities uses UKG to drive employee engagement and streamline workforce management and HCM, including cutting PBJ reporting time by 99%.

      See all customer stories
      Collaborate, learn, and get support for your UKG solution!
      Visit UKG Community Visit UKG Community
    • Resources
      • Research & Insights
        Research & Insights
        • By Business Need
        • By Type
        See all
        Growth icon
        Human Capital Management
        People icon
        Human Resources
        People connected icon
        HR Service Delivery
        Payroll icon
        Payroll
        Talent icon
        Talent
        Chart tree people icon
        Workforce Management
        Clock with Person
        Time & Attendance
        Calendar day icon
        Scheduling
        Document check shield icon
        Compliance
        Chart bar statistics icon
        Reporting and Analytics
        Lightbulb icon
        Product Info
        Video player icon
        Product Tour
        Article featured icon
        Analyst Report
        Document icon
        White Paper
        Book icon
        eBook
        Organization icon
        Industry Brief
        Chart bar icon
        Infographic
        News people icon
        Article
        Video player icon
        Webinar Replay
        Interactive
      Research & Insights
      • By Business Need
      • By Type
      See all
      Growth icon
      Human Capital Management
      People icon
      Human Resources
      People connected icon
      HR Service Delivery
      Payroll icon
      Payroll
      Talent icon
      Talent
      Chart tree people icon
      Workforce Management
      Clock with Person
      Time & Attendance
      Calendar day icon
      Scheduling
      Document check shield icon
      Compliance
      Chart bar statistics icon
      Reporting and Analytics
      Lightbulb icon
      Product Info
      Video player icon
      Product Tour
      Article featured icon
      Analyst Report
      Document icon
      White Paper
      Book icon
      eBook
      Organization icon
      Industry Brief
      Chart bar icon
      Infographic
      News people icon
      Article
      Video player icon
      Webinar Replay
      Interactive
      Events
      Tradeshows
      Conferences
      Webinars
      See all events
      Blogs
      The People Purpose Blog

      Your source for the latest life-work trends and ideas from UKG experts and leaders. Stay informed and put people first in all you do.

      Workforce Institute

      Think tank that helps organizations drive performance by addressing HCM and workforce management issues.

      Workplace Resources
      Great Place To Work
      Pay Equity Resources
      Human Insights
      UKG Developer Hub
      UKG Pro Ranks Highest in 2022 Gartner Critical Capabilities for Cloud HCM Suites for the North American Midmarket Use Case
      Get The Report
      Get The Report
      Reference Image
      UKG Ranks Highest in 2022 Gartner Critical Capabilities for Cloud HCM Suites

      Read the Gartner® Critical Capabilities analysis for UKG Pro®.

    • About Us
      About UKG

      Learn more about UKG and how our HR solutions inspire workforces and businesses around the world to drive people-focused results.

      About Us
      Why UKG
      UKG Leadership
      Newsroom
      Awards & Recognition
      UKG Ambassadors
      Culture
      Our ESG Program
      Partners
      UKG Marketplace
      Analyst Reports
      Careers

      Look to your future. If you're interested in working for a company that truly invests in their people to create a culture of belonging and innovation, we want you on our team.

      Careers at UKG
      Early Career & Internships
      Benefits
      Life at UKG
      Featured Locations
      FAQs
      Experience awesome at work.
      Search jobs at UKG Search jobs at UKG
    Contact Sales Support Careers
    United States (English)
    Americas
    • United States (English)
    • Canada (English)
    • Canada (Français)
    • Mexico (Español)
    Europe, Middle East & Africa
    • United Kingdom (English)
    • France (Français)
    • Deutschland (Deutsch)
    • Nederland (Nederlands)
    • Other EMEA Locations
    Asia/Pacific
    • India (English)
    • Australia (English)
    Find the product that best fits your needs.
    Get started Get started
    get started
    Search Get started Get started
    Talent icon
    Talent

    3 Tactics to Engage New Hires and Foster Connection in the Workplace

    April 22, 2022
    A manager welcomes a new hire to the office
    • Share
    See all blog stories See all blog stories
    Stay up to date with The People Purpose Blog
    Subscribe via email Subscribe via email
    Subscribe via RSS

    Written By

    Laura Kriska
    Laura Kriska
    Cross-Cultural Consultant

    Laura Kriska is a cross-cultural consultant specializing in WE-building — a process that narrows US versus THEM gaps in the workplace to lower costs & complaints and to increase innovation, collaboration & revenue. Learn more in her new book, The Business of WE.

    Topics

    Onboarding Onboarding Employee Engagement Employee Engagement

    Without the past two years of formal and informal socializing that used to take place in the form of small talk in the break room and customer dinners, opportunities to get to know even basic information about fellow colleagues has been severely limited. This is especially true for people who started their jobs recently. Instead of waiting for the slow, organic return to watercooler conversations, how about implementing a creative and low-cost approach to creating community?

    Here are three ideas to help foster connection and engagement with new employees. 

    Welcome Gifts

    New employees will predictably feel uncertain about those early weeks in the workplace, so having a small welcome gift is a nice gesture to mark this unprecedented occasion. The gift can be completely DIY, such as a curated map of the building/area. Company swag like a coffee mug or pen is another low-cost idea. With a small budget, you can buy a colorful balloon, a single flower, or even a candy bar for employees (get to know your new and current employees — ask about their favorite foods, vacation spots, TV shows, etc.). If you have a larger budget, consider a gift certificate or a floral arrangement folks can enjoy at home. Whether it is a no-cost DIY item or something that costs a little extra, these gifts can transform an otherwise forgettable return into something memorable.

    Work Buddies

    Assign a volunteer buddy to each new hire to spend a short amount of time showing them the ropes — virtually or in person. If the new hire is starting remotely, have the buddy set up bi-weekly video check-ins to review items like company communication etiquette: Do most team members communicate via messenger or email? When do most employees break for lunch? How do you enter an IT service ticket? If meeting in person, guidance on where to hang coats, where to store lunch, and where to get coffee are all helpful. Even if these directions can be shared in a few minutes, giving new employees a little extra attention and the opportunity to ask questions will send a welcoming message. With many employees reporting that they often feel unheard in the workplace, these are perfect opportunities to ensure folks get off to the right start. Check-ins could evolve from weekly to monthly to quarterly once the new hire is feeling more settled. Leaning on veteran employees is a great strategy to engage experienced employees and foster one-on-one connections with new staff.

    Group Activities

    If you’re in a physical office, a fun way to make all employees feel welcome is to organize a simple scavenger hunt to complete in pairs or small groups. The list should require employees to explore the office space and engage with other employees. Offer simple prizes such as a $10 gift card to a local coffee shop or make it a group celebration with a low-cost pizza party for all who participate. Ask veteran employees to join the fun by including them in the activity.

    The list should encourage folks to move around the physical space, picking up clues and answering questions such as:

    • What color is the back-entry door?
    • What type of flowers are in conference room C?
    • How many water fountains are on the first floor?
    • Find an employee who has worked at the company for more than 10 years.
    • Take a photo with an employee whose first name starts with a vowel.
    • Take a photo with an employee who shares a hobby.
    • Get a signature from an employee who has a birthday the same month as you.

    Limit disruptions to work by scheduling this on a Friday afternoon or after a companywide deadline. Also, if you have the bandwidth, you can link the activity to a theme like the local sports team or the time of year. For example, your city’s Major League Baseball team or the start of spring.

    The time is now to foster community at work. An organic approach toward building connections is nice, but with a little extra effort, you can make up for two years of missed opportunities. Anyone can find creative solutions that are low cost, high impact, and will help build community.

    For more tips on creating connection in the workplace, check out this blog post.
    • The People Purpose Blog
    • 3 Tactics to Engage New Hires and Foster Connection in the Workplace

    Related Stories

    The public sector can help educational institutions and government agencies find and retain the best talent in the new world of work.
    The People Purpose Blog

    Why Creating Purpose at Work Is Key to Retaining Talent

    Job seekers and employees today are increasingly focused on finding purpose in what they do. Read how promoting the mission-driven nature of working in the public sector can help educational institutions and government agencies find and retain the best talent in this new world of work.

    How to Fix Work and Engage Employees
    The People Purpose Blog

    UKG Survey Findings: How to Fix Work and Engage Employees

    A UKG study shows that employees are disengaged and disillusioned with their jobs. But there’s hope: Here’s how we can fix work and re-engage employees today.

    Increase hiring efficiency and employee retention to reduce job interview lines
    The People Purpose Blog

    How to Increase Hiring Efficiency and Employee Retention

    Five strategies to consider during leaner times to increase hiring efficiency and prevent attrition.

    UKG logo

    Footer menu

    • Human Capital Management
      • Human Resources
      • Payroll
      • Talent
      • Reporting and Analytics
    • Workforce Management
      • Time & Attendance
      • Scheduling
      • Compliance
    • Product Suites
      • UKG Pro
      • UKG Dimensions
      • UKG Ready
    • Customer Experience
      • Implementation
      • Support Experience
      • UKG Community
      • Customer Stories
    • About Us
      • Why UKG
      • Culture
      • Our ESG Program
      • Leadership
      • Newsroom
      • Careers
      • Privacy and Security

    Sub Footer

    • Modern Slavery Statement
    • Accessibility
    • Cookie Choices
    • Cookie Notice
    • Terms of Use
    • Trademarks
    • CCPA Notice
    • Licenses
    • Privacy Notice
    © 2023 UKG Inc. All rights reserved.

    Kronos SaaShr, Inc., a UKG Company (NMLS ID#1698726) provides money transmission services on behalf of UKG Inc. customers and in connection with certain UKG products.