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Just starting as an entrepreneur or in HR and wondering how to welcome a new employee? Welcoming new colleagues to the team every week and out of ideas? Want to make an impression when welcoming a new manager?
You've come to the right place.
Our guide to writing welcome emails, messages, and letters to new employees covers everything you need to know about making new joinees feel welcome:
- First, we'll cover the typical ways companies welcome new hires to the team.
- Then we'll break down the welcome email format and the process of writing a welcome message for a new employee, including welcome greetings, phrases, and quotes. We'll also provide you with more than a dozen welcome email examples.
- Finally, to top it off, we'll show you how to make new team members feel welcomed with the help of MailMaestro (test it out below). Ready to get started?
How do companies welcome their new employees
Suppose you're new to HR, recruiting people department for the first time, or starting as an entrepreneur. In that case, you may be wondering how companies welcome new employees.
As well as traditional welcome emails and welcome messages to new employees, innovative firms have different practices for ensuring a new hire feels at home from the very first day.
Employee orientation, onboarding processes, buddy systems, and other informal ways of integrating the new joiners are essential at fostering a positive and thriving company culture where everyone feels comfortable and can perform at their best.
If you're searching for some new employee welcome inspiration, we have listed 10 ideas and examples to inspire your approach for welcoming new co-workers aboard.
New employee welcome gift
A welcome gift for a new employee is a sure-fire way to show that you care about your team members.
Welcome baskets for new employees often include brand merch and utilities that new hires need when starting the job. Some companies even let employees pick and choose from a catalog of options to ensure that they cater to a diverse employee base.
Check out Intel's new employee welcome gift box if you're searching for some inspiration. Think welcome gift boxes are a waste of money? The best boxes can go viral, with thousands of shares and likes on social platforms such as LinkedIn.
New employee welcome kit
Welcome kits for new employees are similar to gift baskets but are stacked full of the latest tech. Welcome kits can include a phone, tablet, laptop, and more.
Tech companies and start-ups have made an art out of welcome packs, creating an incredible experience. Apple, Facebook, LinkedIn, and similar tech leaders invest time and money in creating welcome packages that are precise to the last detail.
Check online, and you'll see thousands of unboxing videos from eager new employees wanting to share their swag.
We recommend watching a video of Google's new employee welcome kit for new employee welcome kit ideas and examples.
Welcome card for new employee
Call us old-fashioned, but nothing quite says 'welcome' like a physical card even in our technologically advanced age.
A welcome card message for a new employee is typically the same as you'd use in an email. But, welcome cards can be sent to the staff member's home before they begin, left waiting on their desk, or included as part of a welcome package.
Welcome cards enable you to be creative and inspirational with designs and branding for your business. Use your welcome card to make a statement!
New employee welcome banner
If your team works in an office, a welcome banner for a new employee is a celebratory gesture that can be a welcome surprise.
However, a sign or poster waiting in the lobby or at their desk can make those who don't enjoy being at the center of attention feel uncomfortable. So even though you would consider a welcome aboard sign as a fun way to welcome a new employee, think about how the employee will think of it before going ahead.
New employee social media post
Well, how to welcome a new employee on social media then? A LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook post announcing new hires is standard in smaller companies.
It feels good to know that your company is proud to have you, doesn't it? The same approach can be used for a website in a blog post or short interviews introducing new talent.
New employee meet and greet
Many companies organize meet and greet for new professional family members to meet their immediate colleagues and co-workers from other teams and departments.
These laid-back and informal gatherings are an excellent way for staff to get to know each other outside of the daily grind. HR pros or managers typically organize meet and greet events.
New employee meeting invitations are distributed via email to those who want to welcome the new starter. Snack, nibbles, and drinks are optional (but appreciated!).
New employee breakfast or lunch
A welcome breakfast or lunch for a new employee is an even more informal way to bring co-workers together and get to know each other.
Especially if you are a CEO of a small company, it doesn't take much effort to send out a new employee welcome lunch invite. Instead, you can sit down and share sandwiches, but breaking bread outside the business premises is even better.
As the business owner, it's up to you whether you pay, but it's not expected in most cases. Just make sure to let everyone know to avoid any misunderstandings.
New employee press release
A press release to welcome a new employee is a formal way to introduce someone; they're often used for high-profile executive hires or roles in the public interest.
Press release announcements are less about the new employee and more about the company's interest and public profile. However, who wouldn't enjoy being newsworthy and having their (brief) moment in the spotlight?
New employee speech
Welcome speeches are a traditional and formal way to announce and welcome hires to a business. Most often given by the CEO, member of the leadership team, or the person's manager, a welcome speech can be a powerful way to motivate the worker and the whole team and organization.
Welcome speeches can do more, too, acting as a creative way to underline the company's value, culture, and mission. This can help bring the whole group together to work towards common goals.
Fun ways to welcome a new employee
The first day in any new job can be a little stressful, regardless of how long you've been working and how skilled you are. Luckily, humor is an excellent way to break the ice.
Team building activities and games that allow (or force, depending on your perspective) people to get to know one another are a great way to introduce new team members. If it fits your company culture, a welcome new employee meme or gif can be just what the doctor order to lighten up the mood.
Humor is personal, so be sensitive when sending messages or creating memes.
How to welcome a new employee virtually
The employee welcome examples typically take place in an office setting. However, as many organizations embrace hybrid working or have staff working entirely at home, do they still work?
While staff may not have met their colleagues in person (and may never do so), they should still feel part of the team. In addition, many of the ideas above can be implemented virtually and performed remotely.
There are a plethora of tools that allow organizing engaging virtual events that don't feel like yet another Zoom call. For example, some solutions randomly pair team members for virtual coffee breaks or lunches to help build new connections or strengthen existing ones.
So, the sky (or the internet, to be precise) is the limit for your imagination. The good news is that even if none of these ideas fit your workplace, welcome emails, messages, and gift boxes all work remotely. Even in our flexible working world, these tried and tested ways to welcome new employees play a crucial part in the onboarding experience.
Welcome email format for new joinee
So, you've decided to write a new employee welcome letter, but unsure of the format. The welcome email format for a new starter is straightforward. It should be familiar to anyone who has written a formal email or letter before.
There are four core elements to any welcome email for new employees:
- Email subject line
- Email greeting
- Body
- Email sign-off
Next, let's look at how that works in practice.
New employee welcome email subject line
The new employee welcome email subject line should be personalized and positive; beyond, it's up to you!
You can be serious and formal, creative, or even funny if you want to. The subject line should suit your culture be clear and positive.
The easiest solution is to select a greeting from our 30 welcome phrases for new employees below. Just remember to personalize each message and use the person's name if you can.
Expert tip: check the spelling and then double-check it before sending.
How to greet a new employee
When deciding how to greet a new employee, the standard is to use their first name and surname. Beyond that, it's up to you!
When writing a formal email, you'd typically use "Dear", followed by the person's name. However, the formal rules on how to start an email don't apply to internal emails.
You'll want your email to be warm and welcoming, not cold and impersonal. You can go with 'Hi' or ' Hello' and use one of the 30 welcome phrases for new employees below.
Writing a welcome email for new employee
Unlike a formal email to a customer or client, the welcome email format for a new employee is flexible. You can be creative, funny, or stick with a more formal approach with the body of the email.
The body of the email essentially consists of only two parts:
- Welcome greeting
- Self-introduction
The examples later in this guide demonstrate how to be creative when using the new employee welcome letter format. You'll see how we create several example emails and letters that are professional and show a bit of personality.
Sign-offs for welcome messages
When it comes to deciding how to end an email, the rule of thumb is to go with the same tone you chose to begin your email with.
Let's make it simple: If you went with "Hi," you can end the welcome email with "Best", or in case you opted for "Dear," it's good email etiquette to close with a more formal sign-off such as "Sincerely,".
You can also include a functional email ending phrase before the sig-off. Here are some examples of phrases that can enhance the sentiment of your welcome wishes.
- Looking forward to working with you
- Excited to have you onboard
- Thanks for joining us, and welcome aboard
For more welcome phrases for new employees, check out the next chapter of this guide before diving deep into welcome message examples.
30 welcome phrases for new employees
So, what to say when someone joins your team?
When a growing company regularly welcomes new hires, developing creative ways to say welcome can be challenging. It's tough to send out new employees' welcome messages every week.
For all you CEOs, managers, and HR professionals searching for an alternative to "welcome on-board-board" or struggling to find an answer to the question: "What's another word for welcome to the team?" this is for you!
No matter how lost for words you are, these 30 welcome phrases for new employees will help you conquer writer's block. These can all be used in professional welcome emails, and you'll be adding to your vocabulary as you use them.
Here are 30 welcome phrases for new employees:
• Welcome to the team
• Welcome to our team
• Welcome to the firm
• Welcome to a new job
• Welcome to our team
• Welcome back to our team
• Welcome back and congratulations on...
• Welcome aboard
• Welcome and thanks for joining us
• Happy to have you on the team
• Glad to have you on the team
• Great to have you onboard
• Excited to have you onboard
• Delighted to have you join us
• All the very best in your new role
• Looking forward to you joining our team
• Super excited to work with you
• Congratulations and welcome to the team
• Congratulations on joining the team
• Congratulations and welcome aboard
• Welcome our new...
• We would like to extend our warmest welcome to...
• Today we welcome...
• Please join me to welcome...
• Please join me in welcoming our new team members
• Please join me in extending a warm welcome...
• Let's welcome our new employee...
• Warm welcome to our family
• We're excited to have you onboard
• We are thrilled to have you
• We are happy to welcome you...
How many times have you read (or written) "Please join me in welcoming..."? It's among the most common and overused welcome phrases you'll ever find. You'll find it's used repeatedly when a new colleague joins an organization. But, as we've detailed above, there are better ways to greet new employees (and provided 30). We hope that the following welcome email samples mean you won't be left scratching your head when you're asked to create yet another new employee welcome email.
10 welcome quotes for a new hire
Using welcome quotes for new employees is an easy way to make new colleagues feel welcome and provide a little inspiration on their first day.
Welcome message quotes can be hearty and warm to even funny depending on your personality, the company culture, and the new starter.
When making a call on welcome quotes for colleagues, you should also consider how much you know about the new hire when you welcome them aboard. For example, you can crawl the internet for quotes or use one of the ten tried and tested favorites we've picked below.
Here are 10 welcome quotes for any new hire:
- "All strange and terrible events are welcome, but comforts we despise." — Cleopatra
- "Sometimes the hurdles aren't really hurdles at all. They're welcome challenges, tests." — Paul Walker
- "Welcome the challenges. Look for the opportunities in every situation to learn and grow in wisdom." — Brian Tracy
- "Welcome all experiences. You never know which one is going to turn everything on." —Jim Rohn
- "Welcome every experience the looms of fate may weave for you." — Marcus Aurelius
- "Extend your arms in welcome to the future. The best is yet to come!" — Anthony de Mello
- "I'm open for choices. I always welcome new ideas. I'm always eager to learn. I'm never going to close my mind from learning." - Cesar Millan
- "Welcome to my house! Enter freely. Go safely, and leave something of the happiness you bring!" -Bram Stoker
- "Embrace the truth. Speak the truth. Be the truth. When we welcome the truth, we live our lives like it's golden." -Iyanla Vanzant.
- "Confusion is the welcome mat at the door of creativity." -Michael J. Gelb.
Not sure if a quote will work? Don't worry. Sometimes a warm or humorous quote may not be suitable. In that case, stick to the standard welcome wishes in your message to a new employee. Want to see how to make it work? In the next chapter, we provide 10 example welcome emails to employees.
12 welcome email to new employee examples
The best way to explain the concepts above is to put them into practice in our new employee welcome email examples. We've created 12 standard sample welcome messages for new employees. These new employee welcome letter samples can be cut and pasted. Still, we'd encourage you to personalize them before sending them. Here are 12 sample welcome emails to new employees.
Welcome aboard message
Here's a standard and straightforward welcome aboard message for any new starter. We're welcoming them to the organization, putting their role in context, and opening an avenue for vital communication in those first few weeks.
Hi (First name),
Welcome aboard! All of us (Company name) would like to welcome you. It's an exciting time for us as we grow our business, and you will play a crucial role in that process.
I know you'll have many questions, so please reach out to your colleagues for support or contact me directly.
We're excited to have you onboard!
Best regards,
(Your name)
Welcome to the team email sample
The generic example above is an organizational welcome; here's a welcome to the team example. We've gone with a different intro to the welcome to the team email template, as it's less formal and more friendly. Why? Because this is the person you'll be working with closely, and nobody likes a stuffy boss.
Hi (First name),
Welcome to the team
It's great to have you aboard, and I'd like to extend a warm welcome from the rest of the team and me. I know everyone is excited to meet you and help you slot into your new role.
We're planning some activities to get us all together, which will help you get to know your new colleagues more closely.
Please, don't hesitate to reach out and ask me or any of your colleagues for information, advice, and support in these first few weeks. We're here to help.
Looking forward to you joining our team!
Best regards,
(Your name)
Welcome to the company email template
A welcome email from a senior leader should follow the formal email rules. We start with a professional greeting, a short welcome, and a sign-off. This formal email is likely to be followed by a more personal greeting from colleagues and managers. Here's a welcome to the company email template.
Dear (First name),
On behalf of all of us at (Company name) we would like to extend our warmest welcome to you. We're on an exciting track with ambitious plans, and I'm sure you will play an important part in achieving our goals.
I hope that you enjoy a rich and rewarding career with us.
Congratulations and welcome aboard!
Yours sincerely,
(Your name)
Welcome email to new employee from manager sample
In this welcome email to new employees from the manager sample, we provide a more supportive message that reflects the role of a boss. A manager's job is to provide support and guidance personally and professionally, so the tone should be friendly and open. Here's an example of a welcome email to a new employee from a manager that's focused on building a relationship.
Hi (First name),
It's great to welcome you as part of the (insert team). We talked about some of the challenges and opportunities here during your interview. I'd love to explain them in more detail. I'll contact you to arrange a meeting on (insert details).
As a (insert role), I'd love to get your views on our current strategy. We can chat about your ideas at our meeting.
On day 1, I wanted to welcome you to the team and say that I'm always here if you ever need to chat with me about anything. You can book a meeting, arrange a call or contact me another way.
We are thrilled to have you!
Best regards,
(Your name)
Welcome email to new colleague sample
Sending a welcome email to a colleague is a nice touch that sets the scene for a positive relationship from day 1. In this welcome email to new colleague sample, we offer some kind words from a new friend. Here's our welcome email to the new colleague sample.
Hi (First name),
We've not met before, but I'm (First name)from (insert team). So we will be working closely together, so I wanted to say hi and welcome you aboard!
If you've got any questions or I can help you in your first few weeks, let me know. We're all a friendly bunch, and I'm sure you'll love it here, as I do.
All the very best in your new role!
Speak soon,
(Your name)
Sample welcome letter to new employee from HR
A welcome email from the HR team is standard practice before the first day. It sets out specifics such as the date, time, and details of the first day. As you'd expect, a welcome letter from HR is written in a formal tone of voice.
It's also a great way to prep a new starter, getting them to learn more about the company and the culture before they begin. Check out our sample welcome letter to new employees from HR.
Dear (First name),
My name is (First name), and I'm the (insert role) at (Company name). Congratulations on your new job. I'm contacting you with details about your first day, and some documents you should read before your first day.
Here are the details of your first day:
(Insert details)
Before you start, we would encourage you to read the attached documents. These provide an overview of the business and describe our corporate culture.
We look forward to welcoming you on your first day. Welcome and thanks for joining us!
Kind regards,
(Your name)
Sample welcome letter to new employee from CEO
An email from the CEO to a new employee can be inspirational, encouraging, and friendly, but it's unlikely to be personalized. This sample welcome letter to new employees from the CEO is a cookie-cutter template that you can use for each new hire.
Dear (First name),
I'm the CEO at (Company name), and I wanted to formally welcome you to our organization.
We're a fast-growing company, but we pride ourselves on being fun and friendly. Every employee at (Company name) is encouraged to reach their potential. Whatever your career aspirations, we can help you achieve them. In return, all we ask is a commitment to do the best you possibly can for your colleagues and our customers.
I know that your manager and colleagues will welcome you to the team and provide you with everything you need to succeed in your role.
Today is the start of something special. We've given you the opportunity; now it's time for you to take it. I'm excited to see how far you'll go.
Congratulations and welcome aboard!
Sincerely,
(Your name)
Sample welcome email announcing new employee
This sample welcome email announcing a new employee is a short message to an entire organization. Imagine a small company where everyone knows one another and will come together to welcome a new employee, and you'll see what we mean. Check out our welcome email announcing a new employee.
Hi all,
Please join me in welcoming (First name) to the team!
Today (First name) will be joining us as our new (insert job title). She will play an essential role in the business as we progress with our new projects. (First name) joins us from (Company name) where she was working as (insert old job title).
I know that you would all join me in welcoming (First name). Please feel free to contact her directly and arrange a time to chat and explain what you do.
We're sure you'll enjoy your time with us, and once again, welcome to the team!
Best,
(Your name)
Welcome introduction email for new employee sample
So, your boss has sent out an introduction email like the one above; now, how do you follow it up? This welcome introduction email for the new employee sample is a friendly way to introduce yourself and explain what you do, your interests, and how you can help.
Hi (First name),
I was really pleased to learn you are joining us and wanted to welcome you personally. I'm (name), and I work as the (job title).
I've worked here for (insert number) of years and really enjoy it. I heard that you're a big fan of (interest), I am too! (Insert details).
We should grab a lunch sometime! Let me know when you're free.
Happy to have you on the team!
(Your name)
Welcome new boss email sample
A welcome email from an outgoing manager to an incoming one is a personal and professional courtesy. If you can't meet in person, you can provide handover details with important information they'll need to do their job. You can also provide some information on projects, personnel, and potential problems (if you want). Just be sure not to put them off in this sample email to a new boss (from the old one).
Dear (First name),
I'm (Your name), and was the former (insert job title) here. I wanted to send you a message welcoming you to the team and providing you with some essential information you'll need from day 1.
(Insert details)
Personally, I'm sure you'll have a great time at (company). The job is rewarding, and the team is great to work with.
While I'm sad to move on, I'm more than happy to answer any questions you might have as you start your new job. Feel free to contact me, and I wish you well in the new position.
Kind regards,
(Your name)
New employee welcome letter from IT department
A new employee welcome letter from the IT department is important at ensuring they have everything they need to be productive from the start. It's also a critical part of safety and security, keeping your files, software, and systems protected. Here's a sample welcome email to a new employee from the IT department.
Dear (First name),
I'm (Your name) from the IT department, and I would like to welcome you to (Organization name).
(Insert details)
I wanted to provide some essential information on IT security that will ensure you and the organization are protected. You can find a copy of our IT policy here (insert link).
Here are some tips to help keep data, software, and systems safe:
(Insert details).
If you have any problems with tout equipment or accessing essential software or systems, please contact me. You can contact the IT helpdesk on (insert phone number) or email us at (insert email address).
Sincerely,
(Your name)
Welcome message for a new employee with a quote
Earlier in the article, we provided inspirational quotes you might want to use in a welcome email. Here's how to use welcome quotes for a new employee in a professional email from a friendly manager to a new starter.
Hi (First name),
Welcome onboard!
It's great to have you as part of the team. We're a close-knit bunch here and share the same philosophy and approach to work. Everyone is committed to doing the best for our customers, solving their problems whenever we can.
I'll explain it to you when we meet, but sometimes it's better to leave it to the experts. Here's a quote that sums up our approach:
Here are some tips to help keep data, software, and systems safe:
"Sometimes the hurdles aren't really hurdles at all. They're welcome challenges, tests." — Paul Walker
I can't wait to welcome you to the team and work together.
Speak soon,
(Your name)
We hope you find these welcome letter to new employee samples useful. When using these welcome emails to new employee examples, personalize them. No new joinee wants a basic email, but spend a little time, and you can craft something rewarding that they'll remember throughout their time at your company.
Conclusion
Starting a new job is stressful, but a kindly-worded welcome to the team or welcome aboard email can work wonders in calming the nerves of the new hire.
When writing a welcome letter to new employees, focus on making them feel at home with the welcome greeting. Also, introduce yourself in the welcome message in a way that the new joinee knows when to turn to you at work and feel comfortable also in more casual exchanges with you.
You can also tell them something about the business and benefits of working at your company. Keep it brief, personalized, rely on welcome phrases for new employees, and spice things up with welcome quotes.
And if you're still stuck on how to welcome a new employee, MailMaestro and our welcome email template are here for you.
