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Buddy briefing
Give this to the colleague who will be the new employee's buddy. It takes about 15 minutes to go through together.
Tip: print this page or copy the text into your own document.
- You are a friendly go-to person, not a supervisor or a carer.
- Meet them on day one and show them the practical things: breaks, toilets, lunch, lockers, and who's who.
- Check in briefly every day during the first week, then a few times a week.
- Explain the unwritten rules that everyone assumes are obvious.
- Keep what they share with you confidential, unless there is a safety risk.
- Tell the manager if you notice something isn't working, and suggest what could help.
- You will have time in your schedule for this role. Ask if you need more.
Turn this into your own plan
Choose your type of business and who you are hiring, and get one checklist that tracks your progress, plus a tracker for each new hire's first six months.
This toolkit is general guidance, not legal advice. Rules on recruitment, adjustments and support schemes differ between countries, so check with your local employment service or an adviser.