5 Thoughtful Ways to Welcome New Employees (and Make Them Feel Like They Belong)

First impressions matter – especially at work. The way you welcome a new employee sets the tone for how valued and included they’ll feel from day one. Beyond logins and tours, the best onboarding experiences create a moment of human connection. Here are 5 simple ways to hit the mark.

Welcoming a new employee isn’t about grand gestures – it’s about intention. When people feel seen, included and valued from day one, they’re more confident and more likely to thrive. With GroupTogether, it’s easy to turn onboarding into something memorable – from heartfelt group cards to flexible gifting that actually reflects the person joining your team.

A Warm Welcome Goes Further Than You Think

Starting a new job is one of the most emotionally charged moments in a person’s working life. Even confident, experienced hires arrive with a mix of excitement and uncertainty:

• Will I fit in?
• Will I be supported?
• Did I make the right choice? 

Those first signals of belonging shape how safe, engaged and motivated your new team member feels long before they’ve completed onboarding checklists. Translation? They’ll find the answers to those three questions within the first few weeks of starting. 

Studies consistently show that effective employee onboarding can improve retention by over 80% and productivity by more than 70%. But what’s often overlooked is that onboarding isn’t just about systems and training – it’s about social integration. Humans are wired to look for cues of acceptance and early gestures of welcome help the brain move out of threat mode and into trust – yep, it’s as simple as that.   

What works best isn’t necessarily scale or spend – it’s personal messages thoughtful inclusion that activate those same psychological drivers that strengthen relationships everywhere else: being seen, being valued and being remembered. 

A warm welcome doesn’t just make someone feel good in the moment; it sets expectations for the culture they’re stepping into:

• Is this a place where people acknowledge each other?
• Where effort is recognised?
• Where humans come before job titles?

That’s why the most effective welcomes are intentional and human. Stuck for ideas? Don’t worry – we’ve got five thoughtful, genuinely impactful ways to welcome new employees to help them feel part of the team from the very start.

1. Send a Welcome Group Card From the Team

Written messages from the team are especially moving because they create what psychologists call “social proof”. When a new employee sees multiple colleagues taking the time to welcome them – each in their own voice – it reinforces a simple but critical message: we all welcome you. That collective affirmation reduces first-day anxiety, increases psychological safety and jump starts social integration far more effectively than one-to-one introductions alone.

A GroupTogether group card allows the whole team to sign a single digital card before a new starter’s first day. Colleagues can add their own messages – welcoming notes, punny jokes or simple hellos – all collected in one beautiful place, with thousands of original designs to choose from. Encourage everyone to add a photo so your new hire can easily “put a face to the name”.

Unlike a static message board, GroupTogether cards are designed to feel like a real card: an envelope that opens with animation, thoughtful layouts and a keepsake download and printable copy. For new employees, reading those messages on day one instantly replaces first-day nerves with warmth and familiarity. Plus, a simple card is far less nerve-wracking than a big welcome party – yet all the more heartwarming. 

Neuroscience and organisational psychology research consistently show that feeling socially included at work isn’t just a bonus – it’s foundational. A Harvard University study found that employees who feel a strong sense of belonging are up to 56% more productive and 50% less likely to leave. At its core, a group card does something deceptively powerful: It creates a shortcut to connection and quickly turns a new hire into a true team member.

Hot tip: Try one of our specialised Welcome to the Team group cards – yep, we’ve come prepared for this very scenario!

2. Create a Welcome Pack

Early support has a lasting impact – research shows that 69% of employees stay longer at companies where they feel supported early on. A thoughtfully-curated welcome pack can make a powerful difference. This doesn’t have to be corporate or complicated – in fact, the more human it feels, the better. Include team lingo, useful resources and practical tips.

Bonus tip: For hybrid or in-office teams, why not add a list of favourite local lunch spots recommended by the team? It’s a small touch that makes onboarding feel even more personal. 

3. Gift Something Based on Their Interests

Want to make your welcome feel extra thoughtful? Ask.

Before a new employee’s first day, include a simple question in their onboarding form:

“What are a few things you enjoy – coffee, books, fitness, food, travel?” Then gift a small eGift Card aligned to one of those interests. It doesn’t have to be a large amount – the impact comes from noticing and remembering something personal.

If you’re unsure which brand to choose, the AnyCard is a great fallback, giving them access to 100+ brands so they can decide what suits them best. Flexibility plus thoughtfulness is always a win. 

4. Organise a Team Coffee or Lunch (Virtual or In-Person)

Connection doesn’t have to be complicated. Scheduling a casual team coffee, lunch or virtual catch-up during their first week – maybe not the first day! – creates space for conversation without pressure. It helps new employees put faces to names, understand team dynamics and feel comfortable asking questions.

For remote teams, pairing this with a small Café eGift Card can make the experience feel shared, even from afar – you could even schedule a remote coffee catch-up and encourage everyone to bring a mug and some fun stories. 

5. Create a “First Week Win”

Set your new employee up with a small, achievable win in their first week – whether it’s completing a task, contributing to a meeting or owning a mini project. Pair that moment with recognition from the team, perhaps even adding it to their welcome card or a team channel. Feeling useful and trusted early on is one of the strongest drivers of belonging.

The win should be small, visible and achievable. It’s not about testing capability; it’s about building momentum. This might look like:

• Completing a clearly scoped task that genuinely matters.
• Sharing an idea or perspective in a team meeting and seeing it acknowledged.
• Taking ownership of a small project or handover piece.
• Improving or documenting an existing process.
• Helping unblock something that’s been sitting with the team.

The key is clarity. New starters shouldn’t have to guess what success looks like. When expectations are clear and achievable, effort feels safe – not risky. 

But what you do after their win is the lynchpin of this operation – we’re talking about recognition. A quick call-out in a team channel, a line added to their welcome card or a message from the team acknowledging the contribution reinforces that their effort was noticed. 

And bingo – you’ve helped your new hire feel right at home on their first week!

Meet the experts

Melissa Evans

Content Writer, GroupTogether.

Ali + Julie

Co-Founders, GroupTogether

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