A buddy at onboarding is a colleague assigned to help a new employee integrate into the organization and guide them during their first days or weeks on the job. The purpose of a buddy is to help the new employee feel comfortable in the new work environment, introduce them to colleagues, and help them understand the organization’s culture, policies and procedures

Content of this article

Advantages of a buddy

Having a buddy on onboarding can have many benefits, including strengthening the relationship between the new employee and the company, reducing stress and uncertainty, and shortening the time it takes for the new employee to become productive. A buddy can also help reduce the manager’s workload, as the buddy can take over tasks such as answering questions and providing guidance, giving the manager more time to focus on other tasks

Choosing an ideal buddy

When choosing an ideal buddy, there are several factors to consider, including:

• • Expertise
    Choose a buddy who has sufficient knowledge and experience within the new employee’s field. A buddy with the right knowledge and expertise can help answer questions and assist the new employee in developing the right skills.

• • Personality
    Choose a buddy with a personality that matches that of the new employee. A buddy with similar interests and personality traits can build rapport more easily and can help the new employee feel comfortable in the new work environment.

• • Availability
    Choose a buddy who has sufficient time available to mentor the new employee. A buddy who is too busy cannot give the necessary time and attention to the new employee.

• • Role within the organization
    Choose a buddy who is not a direct supervisor of the new employee. A buddy who has a higher position within the organization may intimidate or make the new employee feel uncomfortable.

• • Interest
    Choose a buddy who is genuinely interested in mentoring the new employee and sharing knowledge and experience. A buddy who does not show sufficient interest cannot properly mentor the new employee. And as a company, make sure that the buddy is also given the time and space for guidance.

Give the buddy the necessary handholds

It is important to explain to the buddy what is expected of him/her

• • What is the job of the buddy
    The buddy should help the new employee get to know the organization, colleagues and work processes. He/she should also act as the first point of contact for questions and feedback
    Read more about the tasks of a buddy.

• • Introduce the buddy and the new employee
    Let the buddy and the new employee get to know each other and arrange an introductory meeting. During this conversation, the buddy can tell more about his/her work and the new employee can tell about his/her background and interests.

• • Plan regular check-ins
    Plan regular check-ins between the buddy and the new employee to discuss how things are going and to address any questions or concerns. This can be either in person or virtually, depending on the circumstances.

• • Make sure there is a good handover
    Make sure the buddy informs the new employee of important issues and documents and that the new employee knows where to go for further questions.

By following these steps, you can ensure that the new employee quickly feels at home in the organization and gets off to a smooth start

Examples companies with successful buddy system

There are many enterprises that have successfully implemented a buddy system as part of their onboarding process. Here are a few examples:

• • Google
    Google has an extensive buddy system where each new employee is assigned a buddy to guide them through their first days and weeks on the job. The buddy is responsible for answering questions and helping them find the right information.

• • Airbnb
    Airbnb has a program called “Onboarding Pioneers,” in which new employees are paired with a buddy who helps them understand the company’s culture and values. The buddy is also responsible for sharing tips and tricks for being successful at Airbnb.

• • HubSpot
    HubSpot has a buddy system known as “Pals.” New employees are paired with a buddy who helps them understand the company culture and guides them in learning new skills.

• • General Electric
    General Electric has a buddy system known as the “Early Career Development Program.” New employees are paired with a buddy who helps them learn the culture of the company and guides them as they develop their career at General Electric.

These are just a few examples of companies that have successfully implemented a buddy system as part of their onboarding program

Summary

Having a buddy can be a valuable addition to the onboarding process and can contribute to the successful integration of new employees into the organization. In our knowledge base article on the duties of a buddy, we elaborate on the responsibilities of the buddy

Curious about possibilities at ENBOQ

ENBOQ has various onboarding, reboarding in conjunction with onboarding programs to make new employee onboarding more efficient and fun. This through E-learning and Gamification solutions