We’ve all been new hires at some point. Whether that’s a year or a decade ago, the fact of the matter is that everyone goes through an onboarding phase at least once in their life. As such, you probably know how a new hire can make up their mind about a company in just a few simple words, gestures, or even the workplace environment! New hires are probably thinking, Was someone expecting me? Do these people want me here?
That’s why getting the first or early days is crucial. After all, the employees who experience a great onboarding program are 69% more likely to stay with the company for three years. On the flip side, nearly 4 in 10 new hires (or 39%) have second thoughts about their new job during the onboarding! All these numbers make it important for you to have a warm and well-planned welcome for your new team members.
As such, here are 20 messages you can copy and adapt to welcome a new employee, whether they are in the office or working remotely, plus 20 swag ideas to send alongside them.
Why It’s Important To Welcome A New Employee
Before we dive into the messages, here are a few reasons it pays off to welcome a new employee:
A warm welcome keeps new hires from leaving early: A new team member who feels forgotten in the first week starts to second-guess whether they made the right decision to join your team. Make them feel welcome and like they belong, and you won’t have to spend company resources to find a new replacement.
A welcoming vibe sets the tone before the work starts: A good welcome tells your new hire that the company they joined values its people even from the beginning, when they have yet to prove their professional worth.
A welcoming message especially matters for remote hires: Since remote workers won’t experience the in-office buzz of a first day, it’s especially important to welcome them with a warm message sent to their inbox or a new hire swag kit to their doorstep. It’s one of the simplest ways to successfully welcome a new employee.
What do you say to welcome a new employee?
Keep it short, specific, warm, and match it to the moment. A good welcome message to new employees’ inboxes should feel like a person wrote it, not a form letter. Here are 20 you can adapt, grouped by who is sending them and when.
Short and simple welcome messages
A short welcome message already does a lot in a line or two. Use these when you want to keep it easy and simple.
Welcome aboard, [Name]! We’re thrilled to have you on the team. Today, the only job is to show up and say hi to everyone.
Hi [Name], the whole team has been looking forward to meeting you. Welcome to [Company]!
Congrats on day one, [Name]! Ask us anything, and don’t be shy.
Happy first day, [Name]! Grab a coffee, settle in. If you have questions, just ask any of us.
Welcome email messages to send before day one
A welcome email to your team members’ inboxes, sent a few days early, can also help ease the nerves and set expectations.
Hi [Name], we’re so glad you’re joining us on [start date]. We’ll send your equipment and login details ahead of time, so your first day goes smoothly. See you soon!
Hi [Name], your first day is almost here. Here’s what to expect on [start date]: [quick agenda]. Reply anytime if a question comes up before then!
Hey [Name], a quick hello before [start date]. Your welcome kit is already on its way, and [Buddy] will meet you first thing in the morning. We can’t wait to meet you. Talk soon!
Welcome messages from the manager
A note from the person a new hire will report to hits differently than a company-wide message:
Hi [Name], welcome aboard! I’m the manager of [team], and I’m thrilled to have you with us. No pressure to have it all figured out this week. Ask anything, lean on us. Don’t worry, we've got you!
Welcome, [Name]! Your work in [area] is exactly what this team needed, and I’m glad you’re joining us. Let’s grab time on [day] to map out your first month. Excited to have you on board!
Hi [Name], welcome aboard! As your manager, my door and my DMs are always open, so don’t be shy about asking any questions you may have.
Welcome messages from the team
Post a new employee announcement so your newest team member will arrive with messages from their teammates waiting for them.
Team, please welcome [Name] as our new [Role]! Drop a hello and help them settle in.
Let’s give a warm welcome to [Name], who joins us as [Role] today! We’re lucky to have you, [Name]. Everyone here is excited to work with you!
Everyone, say hi to [Name]! They’re into [interest], so send your best recommendations their way.
[Name] just joined as our new [Role]. Reply with a wave so they’ll feel more welcomed!
Welcome messages for remote new hires
Remote workers don’t get to experience the in-office buzz, so the welcome message carries more weight.
Hi [Name], welcome! We can’t hand you a coffee in person, so consider this your virtual one. Login details and your first-day plan are in your inbox. See you on the [day] call!
Hey [Name], I've added you to [#channel] and [#channel] for the fun stuff. Jump into whatever thread you want whenever you're ready! We also do huddles every Friday for unwinding. Would love to have you with us!
Hi [Name], welcome! Your onboarding buddy [Buddy] is one message away, and your welcome kit should reach your door by [date]. Thrilled to have you on our team!
Funny welcome messages
A little humor breaks the ice fast. Keep it kind, and steal some ideas from our funny welcome messages for new employees if you want more.
Welcome, [Name]! We already like you, and you haven’t even found the coffee machine yet.
Hi [Name], the good news: you got the job. The better news: [team] has the best snacks in the building. Welcome aboard!
[Name] has entered the chat. Everyone, please be normal. Welcome to the team, we’re glad you’re here. (We’re totally normal, don’t worry.)
Swag Ideas To Pair with Messages
A new employee welcome message is great for, well, welcoming your new hire. But it’s the swag that actually gives them something to hold and use when they’re reading your messages. Pairing the two especially works well for remote teams.
If you’re looking for new employee gift ideas, here are some to get you started:
Apparel
A quarter-zip sweatshirt made from a soft cotton-poly blend that's comfortable to wear throughout the day. It's a good choice for employees who regularly work in the office or spend a lot of time on video calls.
AS Colour Men's Staple Tee ($13.00)
A regular-fit cotton tee available in a wide range of colors. Easy to customize with your logo and a great option if you're letting your new employees choose their own size from a swag store.
Gildan Unisex DryBlend Jersey Polo ($10.79)
A classic polo made from a moisture-wicking cotton-poly blend. Pick it if your employee is part of a customer-facing team or will regularly attend trade shows.
Drinkware
A double-wall insulated mug with a sliding lid to help prevent spills. It's a great option for new employees who start their day with coffee and want something they can keep at their desk.
A stainless steel tumbler with double-wall vacuum insulation and a MagSlider lid for avoiding splashes. If your budget allows, it's worth spending more here since it's something new employees are likely to use every day.
This option is a leakproof flip-straw tumbler that keeps drinks cold for up to seven hours and is made in part from recycled plastics. It makes a great premium swag that employees will continue using long after the onboarding week.
Bags and totes
Mesh Tote Bag ($7.59)
This lightweight mesh tote is great for gym trips, company events, or everyday errands. It's also available in Pantone-matched colors to help keep your branding consistent, if you’re doing new hire welcome kits.
Daybreak Recycled 15" Laptop Sleeve ($15.97)
This is a laptop sleeve made from recycled rPET with zippered pockets for chargers and other accessories. A practical choice for new employees who carry their laptops with them all the time.
Professional Travel Backpack ($39.29)
A leather-look backpack with a padded laptop sleeve and plenty of room for everyday essentials. It's a good option for new employees who commute or travel for work.
Desk accessories
Stitched Mouse Pad ($5.99)
A simple way to help new hires personalize their workspace from day one is through this mouse pad. It has a smooth fabric surface, an anti-slip base, and full-color logo printing for your brand.
Happy Face Sticky Note Pack ($1.12)
A recycled sticky note pack with a fun smiley-shaped design is an inexpensive way to round out a welcome kit without adding much to the overall cost.
Signature A5 Notebook ($4.49)
The A5 notebook has a soft-touch hard cover, lined pages, a ribbon marker, an elastic closure, and a back pocket for loose notes. It looks polished enough to hand to a new hire on day one.
Tech items
This compact charging cable can support USB-C, Micro USB, and Lightning devices. It's also an easy addition to any welcome kit since new employees can use it at their desk, at home, or even while traveling.
AeroBuds TWS Wireless EarBuds ($19.17)
Wireless stereo earbuds that auto-sync and run up to 30 hours on the included flip-top charging case. It’s a step up from the usual welcome swag.
Light Up Logo Bluetooth Speaker ($15.98)
A compact Bluetooth speaker with 3-watt output and a 10-meter range, plus an LED panel that glows through your logo once it is laser-decorated. It recharges in about two hours over the included micro USB and runs up to 90 minutes per charge, so it suits desk use and quick sessions.
Add-ons
Fully Custom Plushie | 4" and 5" ($8.95)
A plush toy you design from the ground up, from the shape and colors down to the smaller details, made with soft, skin-friendly materials built to last. Choose this if you want to turn your mascot or an original character into a desk companion that a new hire keeps around for years.
An acrylic keychain with enough surface for detailed artwork, a mascot, or a multi-element design to read clearly. It clips onto a backpack, lanyard, or tote and keeps your brand visible well past a keyring.
Large Insert Card | 6” × 9” ($0.89)
This is where your messages and short notes are! For swag kits, they’re the perfect way to personalize the unboxing experience.
Sticker Sheet | 4” x 6” ($1.29)
A fully customizable sticker sheet with multiple designs is great to demonstrate that your team isn’t all about serious stuff. New hires can use them to personalize a laptop, water bottle, or notebook.
Push Pop Bouncing Ball ($2.15)
This fun desk accessory is a little different from the usual welcome kit items, but it’s a great way to round out your swag kit.
How to bundle these swag ideas into a new hire welcome kit
Picking the right swag items is only part of building a great new hire swag kit. How you package and deliver them matters just as much. That said, if possible, aim to have it delivered before your new hire’s first day.
A well-balanced welcome kit usually includes one or two items from a few different categories without overfilling the box:
One wearable, like the quarter-zip or the staple tee
One daily-use item, like the TYESO mug or a tumbler
One desk or tech item, like the laptop sleeve or the charging cable
A personal touch, like the insert card with a note from their manager
Remember that good employee welcome gifts are those that get used. Pair them with messages or personal notes, too, to make them even more memorable!
Welcome New Hires with PerkUp
Picture the welcome from the new hire's side: a branded swag kit that arrives before day one and feels picked for them. Pulling that off for every hire, in every location, isn’t something feasible in the long run. That’s why a swag management platform built for global teams like PerkUp is a good option.
The platform stores your swag kits in the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, Europe, India, China, and Australia so that they’ll be delivered from whichever one sits closest to your new hire (remote or otherwise). They’re also shipped DDP (delivery duty paid) whenever possible, so you don’t have to worry about customs or taxes yourself.
In terms of automation, PerkUp’s connection with 200+ HRIS integrations also enables you to set up rule-based automation and let it run for every new hire you onboard. You can also let your new employees pick swag items from a branded swag storefront, with emails sent automatically based on your rules, too.
With PerkUp, you’re not locked into one order type, either. If you only want to send one branded hoodie, you can do so thanks to PerkUp’s On Demand swag with a minimum of one unit. If you’re opting for drinkware, bulk swag is also available on the platform. And since PerkUp also has its own design team, you can rest assured that your branding is consistent across any swag you send to your new employees.
Check out how top companies handle their new hire swag, from the Google Noogler kit to Slack's and Apple’s onboarding programs and kits.
Plus, be sure to explore how PerkUp powers onboarding for companies like Microsoft and Wise, so you know what your new hires will get alongside the warm messages you prepared for them!
Conclusion
Your new hire will feel most welcomed when they arrive with warm messages and swag items ready for them. Pick one of the messages and/or swag ideas we have on this blog and go from there. Just make sure that you do it with intention.
See how you can make your new hires feel even more welcome with kits and swag items through PerkUp.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you say in a welcome message to a new employee?
Keep your messages to your new hires warm and short. Tell them you’re glad they’re part of your team, set expectations for day one (what time, what to bring, who to find), and make it clear they can ask anything. A new employee welcome message works best when it reads as if a person wrote it rather than a template. For lighter teams, our funny welcome messages for new employees are a good starting point.
When should you send a new hire welcome kit?
Before day one, if you can! A kit that arrives ahead of the start date makes a new hire welcome message feel like more than words and tells the new hire they’re expected. Preboarding is one of the most retention-critical times you get, so a swaf kit on the doorstep a few days early does real work.
Can PerkUp automate new hire swag?
Yes! With HRIS integrations, a new hire's start date can trigger your employee’s kit automatically, so it ships even without a reminder. PerkUp connects to systems like BambooHR, Rippling, and Workday to run onboarding swag on autopilot, a lifesaver for teams hiring at any pace.
What are good welcome gifts for new hires?
Practical swag they’ll use is always a good employee welcome gift: apparel like a tee or quarter-zip, a tumbler or insulated mug, a tote or backpack, and desk items like a mouse pad, charging cable, or notebook. Good employee welcome gifts can also lean toward choose-your-own, which works for in-office and remote hires alike, since letting people pick their size and style cuts down on swag that never gets used.
Can you personalize new hire swag for each person?
Yes, in two ways, in fact! If you’re using PerkUp, you can let your new hire pick what they want from a branded swag store (that combines both bulk and On Demand swag) within a budget you set, so the size and style are right. On the other hand, you can also connect your HRIS to PerkUp, and rule-based automation handles the rest, sending the right kit to the right person based on role, location, or start date, with no manual list to manage.
