An office is a place a big chunk of our day is spent. As an employer, your employee is giving you a service in exchange for a price. It is your job to ensure that they feel positive and welcomed. An office welcome basket can be one way.
Changing offices is always a big life decision. A new job means learning something new, making friends, acquainting with the company culture, and so much more. To help your employees settle in, an office welcome basket goes a long way.
This thoughtful and effective idea helps the newcomer feel valued and cared for. If you are looking for ideas to put in the basket, then we hope this blog helps you find those. Depending on your budget, fill the basket.
Stationery
A very basic need in offices is stationery. Yes you may need it even in the world of phones and computers. Stationery with the office name can make your employee feel that they are a part of the team.
However, to go a step ahead and beyond, your office merchandise can have your employee’s name printed. This will make the new team member truly feel like they are welcome. Moreover, it will show that the welcome basket is not a formality, but in fact, it is well thought of and a way to show warmth.
For stationery feel free to add pens, notebooks, desk organizers, sticky notes, and such help keep the office desk clean and adds some personality.
Company Merch
Like we mentioned above, company merchandise is a way to make the employee feel like they are part of the team from the very beginning. They also help the company promote its culture.
Some of the most common items include a branded mug or a tumblr. They can choose to keep it at work or take it home as they wish. The cup will remind them about their company and give them a sense of belonging.
Branded T-shirts and Hoodies are also amazing. These work best if you host activities and even to give to your employees in general. Wearing them will always give them a source of pride and keep them belonging to the company.
ID Badges are again very important. If your company does not have ID badges, then consider them. These help make an identity and act as a uniform for everyone that works in your company.
Clocks/Watches and keychains are also one of the most common merchandise that companies brand and use.
Tech partners
In the modern world, tech gadgets are indispensable. Even if you will be assigning a computer system to your employee, adding some tech gadgets is going to make a powerful statement. Remember, these are gifts. We are definitely not recommending expensive laptops and phones. However, some practical things can be added.
A portable charger or a power bank is one such example. It comes in handy all the time. Similarly a USB can help keep data safe.
Pro tip: Get your company branding done on the USB to make it even more personal.
Headphones are also a great option because for use or the other we always need them.
Personal and healthy items
Your office welcome basket can show your new employee that you care about more than just their work. And you should as well. Without health, you won’t have an amazing employee to run your business.
One of the most common items you can add in this stuff is a reusable water bottle. Once again, you have the option to keep it branded. Reusable water bottles can be filled and consumed throughout the day. That way, your employee will not have to run to the dispenser over and over again.
If you want to take it a step ahead, then adding healthy snacks such as nuts, granola bars, or protein bars can be a good option. If you want a little additional warmth, then ditch the health factor and add cupcakes and chocolates!
Since office jobs require sitting for long hours, you can also put in office chair cushions or back supports. This will definitely aid your employee through those tough deadlines.
For an additional layer, offer the first day lunch. You can either offer a coupon or reimburse the money. Sometimes, people are too shy to eat on their first day. This will allow you to help your employee have their lunch and connect with their colleagues.
Information
For a smooth intake, it is important to give all the necessary information to your new team member. The welcome gift basket helps in this part.
Add the employee handbook for all the policies, procedures, and other information. You can also give official information of other team members such as Skype IDs or company email addresses.
Top it up with a note
A handwritten note, or a note in general is the perfect bow to the basket. Ensure that you put a welcome note in the basket. Try to highlight some key aspects of the company culture and keep your doors open for them. Offer as much support as possible for your new employee.
Let’s wrap up the basket
Having an office welcome basket is a collection of gestures that you present to the new employee in the shape of items. Personal touches and branded items help welcome the staff into the company. Adding a layer of practical items, shows that the office does not see the staff as robots, but human beings.
A summary of this article could be that no matter what you choose to put in the basket, it should show warmth and serve as a gesture. Each thing should have a purpose. However, the purpose should not be only fruitful to the business, but to the human employee as well. The right selection of things can slowly build a better loyalty to the company.
Author
Quratulain Qaseem AKA QQ is an MA in English Literature. Her love for finding fun stuff and telling everyone about it is (slight annoying) enlightening! Fueled with copious amounts of coffee, QQ enjoys her work as a content marketer, reading in her free time, and sleeping as much as possible! You can reach out to her through Instagram!
