How To Write The Best Welcome Statement For Your Employee Handbook

In the business world, it's essential that new employees feel welcomed and engaged from day one. This helps to build a solid and dependable team and sets the tone for a productive work environment. 

Crafting a friendly and inviting welcome message in the employee handbook is a great way to make a lasting first impression and let everyone know they're part of a supportive and welcoming team.

Let's take a closer look at the essential role of a welcome statement and discover the keys to creating one that promotes a strong sense of belonging and commitment among your team members.

What Is A Welcome Statement?

A welcome statement is an introductory message typically found at the beginning of an employee handbook or onboarding material. 

A welcome statement aims to make new hires feel valued, appreciated, and excited about their new role within the company. A brief and impactful message sets the tone for the employee's experience from day one.

However, a welcome statement is not limited to welcoming an employee. Organizations and businesses use welcome messages in multiple ways to achieve distinct goals vital to adding value to their business. 

These goals can range from helping visitors get started on a website or application, guiding them through a process, letting customers know about a new launch, or simply giving them directions on connecting with the brand.

This message highlights your organization's commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. It can instill a sense of belonging and loyalty, enhancing employee engagement and integration into the company's vision and goals.

Why Are Welcome Statements Important?

Welcome statements are crucial as they create first impressions for new employees. They clarify the new employees’ roles, help to streamline onboarding, and are vital in fostering a positive and effective introduction to the organization.

• Creating a positive first impression is essential: Employees' first impression of the company sets the tone for their onboarding experience. A warm and welcoming statement can make the new employee feel valued and appreciated, leading to a positive experience. 

• Sets expectations: A welcome statement outlining the company's culture, values, and expectations can help new employees understand their role in achieving the organization's vision, leading to better alignment and performance.

• Builds enthusiasm and motivation: A thoughtful welcome message can instill excitement and motivation in the new hire. Employees who feel genuinely welcomed approach their new role with dedication and enthusiasm.

• Speeds up the onboarding process: A well-structured welcome message can include essential information about the first day's schedule, necessary paperwork, and other onboarding details, saving time for the new employee and HR.

• Creates a sense of belonging: Employee engagement and retention rely on feeling like part of a team. A welcoming message communicates inclusivity and support, helping the new employee feel like they belong. 

• Encourages social integration: A welcome statement can introduce new employees to their colleagues and provide opportunities for social integration, making it easier to build professional relationships. 

• Reduces anxiety and nervousness: Starting a new job can be nerve-wracking and overwhelming. A well-thought-out welcome statement can provide reassurance and information about what to expect, where to go, and who to contact for support, reducing anxiety and nervousness. 

What To Include In A Welcome Statement For An Employee Handbook

When crafting a welcome statement for an employee handbook, it is essential to include key elements that set the tone for the rest of the document. Here's a breakdown of what you can include in the welcome statement:

Warm Greeting

Start with a friendly and enthusiastic greeting. An inviting welcome displays your excitement to have your new employee on board. Establish a positive, feel-good tone from the very beginning. 

For example, you can start your welcome with “Happy first day!” or “Welcome to the team!”

By cultivating an atmosphere of positivity right from the start, you create an uplifting and reassuring environment, contributing to an enjoyable onboarding experience for the new employee.

Mission Statement: 

Provide your company’s mission statement to give the employee insight into your company's purpose and values that drive your organization. 

This will help them understand how their work positively impacts the world. It also explains their role in the company and how they contribute to its goals.

To illustrate, let’s take LEGO’s mission statement as an example:

At LEGO, our mission is “to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow.” We’re excited to see your contributions to that mission with your innovative ideas and product design experience. 

Company Culture

Highlight your company’s culture, whether collaborative, innovative, customer-centric, or something else.

This sets expectations about behavior, communication, and organizational interactions. Try to show the culture in action rather than just listing the value. 

For example, “We work together to achieve shared goals” rather than “We value teamwork.” 

Commitment To Diversity And Inclusion

Communicate a solid commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and what it looks like in practice. Express genuine appreciation for employees' diverse backgrounds and perspectives, highlighting their essential role in driving innovation. 

Emphasize that your company creates an inclusive environment where uniqueness is celebrated and contributes to a thriving, equal-opportunity culture.

Take a look at Workday’s diversity and inclusion statement for inspiration:

“Our approach to diversity is simple: it’s about embracing everyone. From cultivating a culture where all employees can bring their best selves to work to deploying diversity initiatives that support all, we’re doing what it takes to build a more equitable workplace and world.”

Professional Development

Express how much your company values professional development and how you support your employees’ development.

Mention what you offer regarding training programs, mentorship, and career progression within the company.

For example, “At [Company name], we value continuous learning and career development and hope to help you achieve your career goals by providing access to educational resources and training courses.”

Introduction To Key Personnel & Contact Details

Introduce key members of company leadership and outline their roles. This helps new employees understand organizational structure and feel more connected to management. It also assists employees in knowing who to contact for different needs. 

Be sure to emphasize who the employee’s main point of contact will be. E.g. include their manager’s name and contact details. 

Communication Channels

Help your new employee to understand what channels to use for communication, including emails, regular meetings, and instant messaging platforms.

Let them know how to keep informed about critical updates and where to contact important people.

Introduction To The Employee Handbook

Give the employee an outline of what they will find in the employee handbook and how it is useful. Mention the usefulness of the detailed information about company policies, procedures, and guidelines. 

Invite them to read it thoroughly now and refer back to it later. 

Here’s an example:

“You’ll find everything you need to know in this comprehensive employee handbook. It covers everything from our organizational structure and expectations of new employees to important resources such as our safety and well-being policies and available development opportunities we offer. Please read through and don’t hesitate to reach out should you have any questions.”

Warm Sign-Off

Show gratitude and excitement for the new employee’s presence in your sign-off. Be sure to end on a positive, enthusiastic note. For example, you can say something along the lines of “We look forward to working with you” or “Wishing you all the best and we’re excited to see what you bring to the company!” 

How To Write The Best Employee Welcome Statement

Creating a welcoming and inspiring introduction for new team members involves blending warmth, relevant information, and a clear sense of purpose. 

Below, we share some great tips on how to compose the most effective employee welcome statements.

Tone 

The tone of your employee handbook is likely to be formal and include important information about company policy. But the tone of your welcome statement should be light and welcoming. It would be best to balance professionalism and make your employees feel seen and valued. 

Emphasize Company Culture

The welcome statement is an excellent place to display your company’s values. The points you make in your welcome statement communicate what you care about to your new employee.

You want to spotlight your vision and the big-picture goals of your company. But you also want to show small, concrete examples of how your company culture manifests. 

As part of highlighting your culture, you can explicitly invite feedback. Writing a welcome statement is an opportunity to show rather than tell your company culture. 

Keep It Positive 

Your welcome statement needs to be upbeat. It is not a place to mention conditions of employment or fireable offenses. Don’t include references to what happens if the employee does not abide by the policies in the handbook.

Instead, highlight how the information in the handbook benefits the employee. It is a tool to help them in the workplace, and you can make it clear that you will support them throughout. 

You can include a sentence like, “In this handbook, you’ll find all the information you need to thrive here at [company].” You can also mention the inclusion of benefits and perks. 

Make It Accessible

Your welcome statement needs to be accessible to your employees. It’s worth considering the benefits of physical versus digital welcome statements.

If you have a digital employee handbook, think outside the box for your welcome statement. You could record a video of your company’s leadership welcoming the employee. This allows you to be specific about who exactly is welcoming the new employee. 

The format you choose will depend on what works best for your company. For example, digital formats may work better for companies with remote or hybrid employees so that they can easily access them online. Also consider employees with disabilities, making sure your handbook and welcome statement is available in various formats including written, audio, braille, etc. 

Keeping in line with your company culture is also key. While a fun and energetic video welcome statement might be appropriate for a company with a more casual and open company culture, it may not be suitable for one that is more corporate. 

4 Welcome Statement Examples To Use As Guides

If you're struggling to write your welcome statement, here are some examples you can use and tweak according to your needs.

Example #1: A Professional Welcome

The below example is a great template for all types of companies. It is professional yet welcoming and positive. 

Welcome to [Company Name]

Our mission here is to [mission statement]. Your contribution to that mission is invaluable, and seeing [positive trait] in action will be exciting. 

We’re delighted for you to start your journey with us, and that begins with our employee handbook. Here, you’ll find everything you need to know to thrive as part of our team. [Company] has a long history of innovation, and we’re proud of how far we have come.

[Brief company history]. While we have grown since then, we have maintained a passion for providing people with the best [product or service]. Our progress is tied to our continuing effort to fulfill our mission. 

And that progress is only possible because of people like you who drive our company forward. So we thank you and look forward to seeing your unique contributions to our illustrious future. We want our employees to align with our ethos and display [relevant quality], and we are sure you are a great fit.

Included here are the expectations we have of you and what you can expect from us. You’ll find information about our PTO policy, mental wellness program, and benefits and perks. For a digital copy of the handbook, check [digital location]. 

Wishing you all the best, 

Management Team

Example #2: A Motivational Welcome Statement 

For companies that focus on creating a positive work environment with driven employees, this example is a good one to use. It emphasizes how important employees are and that the company values its employees’ professional development and personal growth.

Welcome aboard! 

The team at [company] is thrilled to have you joining us. We want to do everything we can to ensure you have a wonderful experience here, and we’ve compiled a guide containing everything you need to know to thrive.

Here at [company], we are committed to [mission statement]. That mission is only possible when we are working with our employees.

As our industry evolves, we continue to innovate and stay relevant. We pride ourselves on remaining at the cutting edge of [industry], which is only possible because of your work.

We know you will excel here. The work is diverse and fast-paced; we expect you to work hard. And in exchange, you can expect us to continually support your personal and professional development. 

We are working together to achieve [company goal], which means we are dedicated to supporting you and your growth. We strive to empower our employees to be their best selves constantly. 

Each team has a manager overseeing their efforts, and they’ll be your guide in the company. You’ll find all the contact information in the handbook, and for any questions, reach out to our HR department at [contact details]. 

So look through the handbook to see our policies and understand how we see this mutually beneficial relationship progressing. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact [manager]. We’d love to hear how we can improve our onboarding experience.

Good luck, and welcome to the team!

[Sign off]

Example #3: Short and Sweet 

For small companies and startups with a more casual and creative company culture, check out this employee welcome statement example:

Continual Innovation. Creative Thinking. Pushing Boundaries.

That’s what we do at [company], but it’s also who we are. We’re rule-breakers, out-of-the-box thinkers, and industry leaders.

And you’re one of us now. As part of the team, you’re part of our mission to change the world, one step at a time. 

To help you understand what that looks like in practice, we’ve compiled a handbook with everything you need to know to succeed here. 

Let’s make a difference together. 

Example #4: Warm and Welcoming 

If you’re looking for something professional yet simple and warm, this one’s for you. The below example shows employees that the company cares about them and is there to support them so that they have everything they need to succeed. 

Welcome to [company], 

We want you to feel at home here, and part of that is understanding who we are as a company. When you join [company], you’re joining a team of passionate creatives who strive to do their best work every day.

As a company, our mission is to [mission statement]. To do this, we run our company based on the ethos of [positive trait]. This ethos applies to our employees just as much as our customers.

We understand that life happens, and we accommodate that with our PTO policy and wellness programs. We don’t want you to sacrifice your physical or mental health for this job.

Our mission only works if we treat our employees following our ethos. While you’re working at [company] we want to equip you with everything you need to excel. Look at our policies and expectations for each other, then get back to us with your thoughts.

We look forward to working with you, [name].

[Sign off]

Final Thoughts

A sincere employee welcome statement is crucial for fostering a positive and productive work environment from the start. When new employees feel genuinely welcomed, they are more likely to feel motivated, engaged, and connected to the company and its goals. 

A positive start can increase job satisfaction and improve the likelihood of long-term retention. However, maintaining a positive company culture and productivity requires ongoing effort.

Recognition and rewards are a great way to keep employees motivated and engaged. That’s why you should partner with PerkUp - a top-notch employee rewards platform.

At PerkUp, we offer perks that appeal to employees across the board, including entertainment, health and fitness, education, and lots more. Not to mention, you can easily put together a welcome kit for your new employees. 

Book a free demo today to see how you can make your new and existing employees feel valued and appreciated.