The rise in Work From Home (WFH) culture is not a temporary phase but an enduring shift in how we work. As businesses adapt to the remote work culture, virtually onboarding new employees poses unique challenges. 

The conventional methods of welcoming fresh faces into the team - the physical office tour and the face-to-face orientations - are no longer feasible. This paradigm shift prompts businesses to reevaluate their approach toward onboarding.

Are you looking for fun ways to welcome new employees virtually? You can make new employees feel connected and productive from behind a screen with excellent tools and programs that showcase your company culture.

Why Is It Important To Welcome Remote Employees Virtually

Although virtual onboarding differs from traditional onboarding, its importance cannot be understated. Virtual onboarding is crucial in ensuring new employees feel valued, connected, and engaged with the team despite the physical distance.

A recent Gallup survey shows that only 28% of remote employees felt connected to their organization's purpose. Virtual onboarding can help bridge this disconnect. 

It sets the stage for a successful tenure within the company by setting clear expectations, introducing them to the team, and providing necessary training right from the get-go.

This process not only contributes to early productivity but also helps in building a positive work culture. More importantly, a practical virtual onboarding experience can also reduce feelings of isolation and confusion that new remote employees may face, fostering a sense of belonging and commitment to the organization.

9 Fun & Interactive Ideas For Welcoming A New Employee Virtually

Most employee onboarding agendas typically encompass a range of subjects, including company regulations, employee perks, and compliance-related training. 

While these topics are undoubtedly critical, they may not be the most thrilling content to captivate a group of employees who are new to each other, particularly when they're joining via a computer screen. 

If you feel your virtual onboarding conversations have been static, here are some creative ways to welcome new employees virtually.

1. Make A Grand Entrance Announcement

One of the best ways to virtually welcome new hires is to make a grand announcement to the entire team. A great announcement marks a warm welcome to the newcomer. It communicates to the organization that the role is now filled.

Ensure you include essential information about the newcomer, like a photograph, name, position, and a brief bio. 

Here are some techniques you can use to announce a new hire online:

• Write a post on a team announcement Slack channel

• Schedule a video conference meeting

• Circulate a company-wide email

• Pin a statement on the virtual organizational noticeboard

To craft the perfect announcement, check out our handy guide: Welcome Announcement For New Employees: 4 Templates

2. Initiate A Welcome Thread On An Employee Forum

Feel free to think outside the box when welcoming new remote teammates. You could ask the new hire to create a fun, 80's-dating-video-style introduction clip by responding to virtual team-building questions. 

If your team bonds over video games, invite the new hire to design a character and introduce this new player to the game.

Ensure existing team members respond warmly with welcoming words and encouragement. It's important to remember that remote work, while flexible, can sometimes feel isolating. A hearty welcome can lay the groundwork for an inclusive and rewarding team experience.

3. Use Virtual Icebreakers

Virtual icebreakers are interactive online activities designed to help remote teams get to know each other better, especially when meeting for the first time. These activities aim to facilitate communication, ease any awkwardness, and promote a sense of camaraderie among team members.

Icebreakers can be as simple as sharing fun facts about oneself, participating in online quizzes, or engaging in virtual games. They are an ideal way to boost team spirit and encourage open communication, contributing significantly to a positive work atmosphere, particularly when welcoming new employees. 

Some of the fun and interactive games to include in your upcoming virtual onboarding session include:

• Two Truths and a Lie: Each member tells two truths and one lie about themselves, and others have to guess which is the lie

• Scavenger Hunts: Create a list of household items and ask team members to find them within their homes. Set a time limit for each item and assign points for each item. Whoever finds the item first scores a point, and the one with the most points wins.

• Show and Tell: Have each member share an essential or interesting thing from their workspace or home and explain its significance. Alternatively, ask employees to share something about themselves and connect it to an item. Then, compile a list of shared items and invite team members to guess who shared what.

4. Provide An Online Organizational Chart

Integrating a new colleague boils down to remembering just one new name. However, the scenario is entirely different for your new hire, who faces the daunting task of learning a flurry of new names, roles, and faces across the organization.

An essential tip for effective remote onboarding is to arm your fresh recruit with an online organizational chart right from the first day. This handy tool will help them decipher the structure of your company, making it easier to understand the roles and responsibilities of their new colleagues. 

Their initial days can be spent more profitably, engaging in meaningful interactions and team bonding exercises instead of being consumed by the stress of cramming basic information.

5. Organize A Goal Planning Session

A new employee's initial days or weeks might feel like a waiting period if you don't take steps to show them how their goals align with your organization's. 

Getting your new hire involved and growing from day one with a goal-planning session as part of your remote onboarding process is essential. This interaction not only aids in setting the employee's individual goals but also helps to align them with the broader company and department objectives.

By transforming goal planning into a two-way conversation, you can gain insights into what your new remote employees hope to achieve and guide them toward practical, productive targets. 

The goals can be as immediate as tasks in the first week at the company or as long-term as objectives to achieve within their first year. Goal planning fosters a sense of purpose and direction for the employee, making them feel part of the team and its success from the word go.

6. Help Them Upgrade Their Remote Working Stations

Most remote workers make do with the spaces and items they have. This means that their workspaces are sometimes crammed and lack amenities and comforts, like a break room filled with snacks. 

Some remote employees might find themselves confined to their bedrooms, working from the same desk they've had since college. They need ergonomic chairs designed with their lumbar health in mind and might not enjoy great views from windows as they work.

A fantastic way to make your new hires feel welcome is to allow them to spruce up their home office. 

Allocating a modest budget for home office improvements, like a new monitor, a more comfortable chair, or any other necessary upgrades, can make a positive difference. This thoughtful initiative demonstrates that you value their well-being and comfort, which can boost their productivity and morale in the long run.

7. Create A Buddy System

Just as having a familiar face at a party makes it easier to mingle with the crowd, the same principle applies to virtual team meetings. 

Having a designated work buddy can significantly ease the new employee's integration into the team by helping them combat feelings of anxiety and isolation. This 'buddy – usually a volunteer peer – supports new hires, helping them acclimate to their new work environment.

A work buddy's chief role is to make newcomers feel at ease in group settings, knowing there's someone they can rely on. 

Train designated buddies to conduct regular check-ins to monitor the new hire's progress and provide guidance where necessary using tools like Slack. Doing so ensures a smoother onboarding and contributes to building a supportive and engaging work culture.

8. Send Them Company Swag

Company swag always stays in style. Besides, everyone loves free stuff! A swag box filled with branded goodies not only sprinkles a little fun into a newcomer's day but also instills a sense of belonging. 

You can stock this box with various items like apparel with your company logo, fun accessories, or even handy stationery items, making your new hires feel appreciated and part of the team. 

The best part? You can ease the process of sending swag by setting up a company swag store. A great swag store will curate and ship swag boxes, saving you time and ensuring a professional and exciting unboxing experience for your new team member.

9. Build An Online Lounge Or Chatroom

Digital lounges serve as a casual, stress-free platform where employees can socialize and learn from one another. This could be a scheduled event that everyone pencils into their calendars or a general chat room open round the clock for company-wide access. 

Think along the lines of a dedicated Slack channel where everyone, from the CEO to the freshest intern, can join the conversation.

To keep the banter flowing, consider occasionally throwing in an intriguing question for everyone to weigh in on. And remember, a sprinkle of emojis can work wonders in lightening the mood and making the digital lounge a fun and engaging space!

Final Thoughts

Virtually welcoming new employees doesn't have to be boring and impersonal. You can foster a sense of belonging, even from afar, with some creativity. As we continue to navigate the virtual work world, the strategies discussed above will be instrumental in successfully onboarding new team members.

For businesses looking to include gifting and swag into their virtual onboarding strategy, head over to PerkUp. We are an integrated rewards platform that eases the process of gifting and employee engagement. 

Our services extend beyond delivering incredible, customized swag to your newest team members. We offer a comprehensive solution that enables you to send all types of gifts and rewards to your employees no matter the occasion. This helps to foster strong relationships among remote teams and create a vibrant, welcoming work culture!