Creating the perfect new employee welcome kit is essential for a successful onboarding process and setting the stage for a positive employee orientation experience. In this blog post, we'll share the 15 best new employee welcome kit ideas for 2024. These ideas are designed to make your new hires feel valued and integrated from day one.
A well-crafted welcome package is more than just a collection of items; it's a powerful tool to communicate your company's culture and values. As our Founder and CEO, Tara Milburn, highlighted in a recent Forbes article, the onboarding experience is crucial for shaping an employee's long-term relationship with the company. With the growing emphasis on sustainability, the new employee starter kit has evolved into a reflection of a company’s commitment to ethical practices and environmental responsibility.
In a case study with one of our clients, Export Development Canada (EDC), we observed firsthand the lasting benefits of an exceptional onboarding experience. The rise of eco-friendly corporate culture underscores the importance of selecting the right items for your welcome kits. By incorporating sustainable and eco-friendly promotional products, you set a positive tone that reflects your company’s dedication to growth and good corporate practices.
This blog will delve into 15 innovative and impactful new employee welcome kit ideas for 2024. From organic snack packs to eco-friendly tech products, these kits are thoughtfully curated to ensure that every new hire feels immediately part of a meaningful and sustainable corporate environment.
15 Best New Employee Welcome Kit Ideas In 2024:
Eco-Friendly Notebooks
Branded Reusable Drinkware
Organic Snack Packs
Ethical Wearables
Tech Gadgets with a Eco Twist
Personalized Stationery
Eco Books and Journals
Eco Desk Accessories
Reusable Lunch Containers
Eco-Friendly Beauty and Skincare Products
Portable Eco Bags
Green Plants on the Desk
At Home Comfort
Travel Kits for Remote Employees
Handwritten Notes from the Team
Eco-Friendly Notebooks
In 2024, embracing eco-friendly practices is more than just a trend—it's a necessity. New employee welcome kits that include eco-friendly office supplies send a strong message about your company's commitment to sustainability. Incorporating these items into your onboarding process can set a positive tone and standard for new employees right from the start.
Eco-friendly notebooks made from recycled paper are a fantastic addition to any welcome package. These notebooks are not only practical but also serve as a daily reminder of your company’s dedication to reducing environmental impact. Paired with biodegradable pens and bamboo desktop organizers if there is a hybrid work environment, creates a cohesive and green starter kit. At Ethical Swag, we offer a wide range of eco-conscious office products that blend functionality with sustainability, promoting a green office culture and making a lasting impression on your new hires.
Branded Reusable Drinkware
A wise man once said, "Stay hydrated." Hydration is crucial for maintaining high energy levels throughout the workday, making drinkware an excellent addition to your new employee welcome kit. However, the environmental impact of disposable plastic bottles and coffee cups can be significant. That's why branded reusable drinkware, such as water bottles and mugs, are ideal alternatives.
These reusable drinkware items come in materials like recycled stainless steel, glass, or recycled plastic and can be customized with your company logo. Not only are they practical for everyday use, but they also serve as a constant reminder of your company’s commitment to environmental responsibility. By including branded reusable drinkware in your onboarding starter kit, you emphasize your dedication to sustainability and provide your new hires with a valuable, eco-friendly tool that they can use daily.
Snack Packs
When it comes to welcome packages for new employees, snacks can be a delightful and healthy surprise. Including snack packs in your new employee welcome kit is a great way to show you care about your team’s well-being. These packs can feature dried fruits, nuts, and whole-grain bars, all sourced from suppliers who prioritize organic farming practices and fair-trade standards.
By adding snack packs to your onboarding starter kit, you’re not only supporting sustainable agriculture but also promoting a healthy lifestyle for your new hires. At Ethical Swag, we collaborate with brands renowned for their eco-friendly packaging and organic product lines, ensuring that every bite is both delicious and responsibly made. These snack packs make a thoughtful addition to your employee orientation materials, demonstrating your commitment to both the environment and the health of your team.
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Ethical Wearables
Apparel is a popular component when it comes to new employee welcome kit ideas, but choosing the right type of clothing can communicate a company’s ethical standards. Providing items like our Crew Neck T-Shirt Fair Trade Organic Cotton or socks that have a built in giving component (socks are donated to a homeless shelter of your choice) can make a significant impact. These products not only promote the company’s brand but also emphasize your commitment to sustainable practices.
Including ethical wearables in your new employee welcome kit sends a strong message about your company’s culture of mindfulness and responsibility. These apparel items are not only practical and stylish but also reflect your dedication to ethical sourcing and environmental responsibility. By incorporating these eco-friendly clothing options into your onboarding starter kit, you provide new hires with comfortable and sustainable apparel that aligns with your company’s values, reinforcing a positive and responsible company culture from day one.
Tech Gadgets with a Green Twist
In the modern workplace, technology is indispensable, but it often comes with a significant environmental footprint. Incorporating green tech products into your new employee welcome kits can demonstrate your company’s commitment to sustainability. These items not only cater to the practical needs of modern employees but also serve as excellent examples of reducing electronic waste.
Consider including items like solar-powered power banks, cement cork phone stands with wireless chargers, or USB powerbank crafted from maple wood. These innovative and eco-friendly tech gadgets are perfect for a new employee starter kit. They show that your company values sustainability while providing useful tools for day-to-day tasks. By integrating these green tech products into your employee orientation packages, you reinforce your dedication to environmental responsibility and provide new hires with cutting-edge, sustainable technology.
Executive and Recycled Pens
A high-quality, Executive Bamboo Pen is an excellent addition to your new employee welcome kit, avoiding the throwaway culture of yesterday. This is an item that will be used daily, and when you hold a quality product in your hand, you remember what the company stands for: longevity, quality work, and caring.
Including sustainable pens in your onboarding starter kit adds a personal touch that not only creates a more engaging and personalized onboarding experience but also introduces new team members to a workplace that values environmental awareness and uniqueness. These pens, made from recycled or eco-friendly materials, serve as a daily reminder of your company’s commitment to sustainability and high standards. By incorporating such thoughtful items into your welcome package, you reinforce your company's dedication to quality and responsible practices from the very first day.
Green Books and Journals
Empowering employees with knowledge about sustainability and personal development can be profoundly impactful. Eco books and journals make perfect additions to new employee welcome kits, promoting continuous learning of eco-friendly values. By including these items, you encourage new hires to engage with and embrace your company’s commitment to sustainability.
Consider adding 100% recycled notebooks printed with organic soy-based ink, journals made from 100% apple waste with apple leather covers, and small notepads to your new employee starter kit. These eco-friendly writing materials are not only practical but also symbolize your dedication to environmental responsibility. To make the onboarding experience even more cohesive, include tip-in pages with your messaging and onboarding resources. This ensures that your message of sustainability and continuous learning is consistently communicated throughout the organization, reinforcing your company’s values from the very beginning.
Green Desk Accessories
New hires often feel nervous and might find their desks getting cluttered. Enhancing the workspace of new employees with the Out of the Woods Desk Paper Pen Holder is a thoughtful and eco-conscious choice. This product, available on Ethical Swag, is made from Supernatural Paper, a sustainable material derived from tree cellulose. It combines the durability and aesthetics of leather with the environmental benefits of renewable resources.
The Out of the Woods Desk Paper Pen Holder is perfect for organizing office essentials like pens, pencils, and sticky notes, helping new hires maintain a tidy and efficient workspace. Including this eco-friendly desk accessory in your new employee welcome kit demonstrates your company’s commitment to sustainability and attention to detail. By providing practical and stylish organizational tools, you make the onboarding process smoother and show new team members that your company values both environmental responsibility and efficient work habits.
Reusable Lunch Containers
Lunch hours are crucial for giving employees a well-deserved break at work. Including a reusable lunch container in new employee welcome kits is a thoughtful way to embrace sustainability and healthy eating habits as part of your corporate culture. This lunch container is crafted from eco-friendly bamboo, making it both durable and environmentally responsible.
The container’s silicone lining and band ensure that food is stored securely, providing a reliable and stylish option for bringing homemade meals to work. By offering this versatile lunch box in your new employee starter kit, you encourage new hires to reduce their reliance on single-use plastics and embrace a greener lifestyle. This eco-friendly addition not only promotes sustainability but also supports your company’s commitment to the health and well-being of its employees, making it a perfect fit for an onboarding package that prioritizes environmental responsibility and healthy habits.
Eco-Friendly Personal Care Products
In today’s workplace, the lines between home and office often blur, especially with the rise of hybrid environments and hotdesking. Making new employees feel welcome in these settings calls for a more personal touch in onboarding kits. Personal care products are becoming an increasingly popular addition to new employee welcome kits, offering comfort and convenience.
Including items like organic lip balm, soap, candles, and recycled cooling towels for after a workout can make a significant impact. These personal care products not only cater to individual needs but also demonstrate your company’s commitment to employee well-being. By adding these thoughtful items to your new employee starter kit, you create a more personalized and engaging onboarding experience. This approach highlights your company’s attention to detail and dedication to providing a welcoming and supportive environment for all employees.
Portable Eco Bags
With the increasing awareness of the environmental impact of single-use plastics, providing new employees with portable bags and totes is both a practical and symbolic gesture. These bags, often made from recycled materials, can be branded with the company's logo, turning them into walking advertisements of your company’s commitment to sustainability.
Eco bags are perfect for day-to-day use, whether for grocery shopping or carrying essentials to and from the office. This item not only reduces plastic waste but also promotes a culture of reusability among employees, enhancing the eco-friendly values within the company.
At Ethical Swag, we offer a wide assortment of messenger bags, backpacks with laptop sleeves, and tote bags for everyday use. Think about a lunch bag as part of their daily routine. By including these versatile and sustainable bags in your new employee welcome kits, you encourage new hires to embrace eco-friendly practices while reinforcing your company’s dedication to environmental responsibility.
Green Plants on the Desk
Adding a touch of green to a new employee's welcome kit can significantly boost morale and improve indoor air quality. Desk plants are more than just decorative; they contribute to a healthier work environment, enhancing job satisfaction and productivity with their pleasant presence.
Offering low-maintenance plants, such as succulents or air plants, ensures that even those without a green thumb can enjoy the benefits of a greener workspace. These plants are easy to care for and can thrive in various office conditions. Including desk plants in your new employee welcome kits not only creates a more inviting and aesthetically pleasing workspace but also underscores your company’s commitment to promoting a healthy and enjoyable work environment. This thoughtful addition can help new hires feel more at home and connected to your company’s values from the very first day.
At Home Comfort
Ethical Swag carries a wide variety of products that are used at home. With hybrid and work from home environments becoming the norm, showing you care about their comfort goes a long way.
We have plenty of products to choose from including Recycled Chopstick Coasters, Aprons, or Cutting Boards. Think sandwiches with this recycled reusable sandwich bag and place mat.
Travel Kits for Remote Employees
Travel is a big part of many employees' work requirements. It may be the commute to the office, traveling to conferences or traveling between remote locations. Consider reusable travel tumbler, take along coffee tumbler, toiletries bags or recycled travel duffle bags. We have lots of travel bags to give you options that include recycled felt luggage tags and waterproof dry bags. All of these options also work when traveling to the gym!
Handwritten Notes from the Team
Last but not least, a handwritten note from the team can be the most memorable and impactful addition to a new employee welcome kit. These personalized notes add a touch that no generic welcome package could match. Using Plantable Seed Paper Cards, you can convey a heartfelt message that fosters a sense of belonging while demonstrating the company’s commitment to eco-friendliness.
These notes can express excitement about the new employee's arrival, provide insights about the company culture, or share tips for settling in. By including personalized messages on plantable seed paper, you create a unique and meaningful experience for new hires. Once read, these cards can be planted to grow into beautiful wildflowers, symbolizing the growth and potential of your new team members. This thoughtful gesture underscores the importance of community and individual contributions, reinforcing that each new employee is a valued addition to the team.
Conclusion
As we wrap up the 15 best new employee welcome kit ideas, it is without a doubt that the impact of these onboarding kits goes beyond mere novelty. They act as an expression of a company's values, especially when those values prioritize sustainability, ethical sourcing, and social responsibility. Check out EthicalSwag.com today to explore the items you can add to your welcome kits for your new employees to make a difference this year.
By choosing welcome kit items that are thoughtful, useful, and sustainable, companies not only make new hires feel valued but also embed these principles into their everyday work life. This approach significantly boosts employee morale and enhances the company's reputation as a forward-thinking, environmentally conscious organization. As businesses continue to evolve, these welcome kits serve as a powerful tool for attracting and retaining talent who are committed to these ideals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why include eco-friendly items in welcome kits? Eco-friendly products reduce environmental impact and demonstrate a company’s commitment to sustainable practices, enhancing both corporate image and employee engagement.
How do personalized items affect new employees? Personalized items, such as stationery or notes, make employees feel valued and appreciated, fostering a sense of belonging and loyalty from the start.
Can welcome kits be customized for remote employees? Absolutely. Welcome kits for remote employees can include home office setup items, travel essentials, and digital subscriptions to ensure they feel integrated and valued.
Are there eco-friendly options for tech gadgets? Yes, many suppliers now offer tech gadgets made from recycled materials or designed with sustainability in mind, such as solar chargers and biodegradable phone cases.
How do sustainable welcome kits impact company culture? They reinforce a culture of sustainability and responsibility, attracting like-minded employees and encouraging current staff to adopt more eco-friendly practices.