While remote working is here to stay, a lot of businesses still have a long learning curve ahead to ensure remote workers feel cared for. This is where it becomes essential to plan for the onboarding of your remote employees. This is a critical aspect of integrating new team members into your organization.

How do you best onboard employees who are not physically present? The key is to establish a robust remote onboarding program, complete with a remote companion and a clear orientation structure. However, onboarding is only the start.

It’s equally important to go beyond the basics and make remote employees feel like valued members of the team. One impactful way to achieve this is by preparing a thoughtfully curated welcome gift hamper. Welcome gifts can include equivalent presents or services that employees who work from your premises would benefit from. 

Branded Stationery: Essential Kit for Productivity

Despite working digitally, most remote employees continue to use stationary to take notes, scramble down ideas, or plan their days. So, you want to include branded stationery in the welcome hamper to make sure you can cover their needs. 

What items should you send: Notepads, pens, post-it notes, planners, wall planners, and stickers are some of the preferred items among remote workers. 

These can create a cohesive work environment and foster a sense of belonging among remote employees. The branded stationery acts as a tangible representation of their connection to the organization, even from a distance.

Essential Office Decor: Personalizing Remote Workspaces

You can enhance the remote workspace with essential office decor items. A branded mug is a no-brainer. But you can consider other elements that will enhance their workspace, such as a scented candle with fragrance options to choose from and a quality print-out of one of the art pieces that are displayed in your headquarters. These little touches can contribute to a personalized and comfortable environment.

You can also join a voucher for office furniture with selected partners, allowing employees to invest in items like a standing desk or ergonomic chair.

Remote Essential Items: Practical Comfort for Remote Work

Ensure remote employees have the essential items for a comfortable workday. 

Remote work essentials can include a flask to take their drink on the go, a pack of coffee or tea based on their preferences, and a voucher for a grocery delivery subscription. There’s more than enough to cater to their daily needs. 

These items not only make remote work more convenient but also showcase the organization’s commitment to supporting their overall well-being.

Health Essentials: Prioritizing Employee Well-Being

Finally, you want to show your commitment to the health and well-being of remote employees by including health essentials in the gift hamper. 

You could add outdoor favorites, such as a beanie or scarf in brand colors, for example. Additionally, a discount for a local gym membership encourages a healthy work-life balance.

Your remote employees will love a thoughtfully planned gift hamper that goes beyond the traditional onboarding process and makes them feel welcome. To ensure your gift hamper is a winner every single time, you may want to clarify each employee’s preferences ahead of time, such as checking whether they are a coffee or a tea drinker and presenting them with a choice of options for their office decor. 

These gestures can go a long way in creating a welcoming atmosphere for remote team members.

Originally Published on https://www.breakfastleadership.com/

Michael Levitt Chief Burnout Officer

Michael D. Levitt is the founder & Chief Burnout Officer of The Breakfast Leadership Network, a San Diego and Toronto-based burnout consulting firm. He is a Keynote speaker on The Great Resignation, Quiet Quitting and Burnout. He is the host of the Breakfast Leadership show, a Certified NLP and CBT Therapist, a Fortune 500 consultant, and author of his latest book BURNOUT PROOF.