Microactions that build belonging during onboarding

When it comes to #onboarding new employees, there is a lot a company could do to design it with a DEI perspective and make that process #inclusive. 

But today I’d like focus on small behaviors that everyone can implement, especially future #team members, in order to play their part in building a sense of belonging of new-joiners. We often say that DEI shouldn’t be “just the HR thing”, well here is how to put that into action on an individual level.

„Microactions* are small gestures that act as social signals”. They are seemingly insignificant, but can make a significant impact on a new hire's experience.

One example shared in “No Hard Feelings” is practice at IDEO’s San Francisco office is an “enterview” – a mash-up of enter and interview. Everyone who interviewed the new hire, shares why they’re excited for that person to join and what necessary skills they bring to the team. These comments are written on a fold-out card that says, “Dear [new employee’s name], we think you’re kind of a big deal, and here’s why.”

Another one could be asking about their favorite snacks in the pre-onboarding and making sure they’re there on the first day.

Check out more examples in the comic.

What microactions, especially adapted to remote onboarding, could be introduced to build the feeling of #belonging from day 1? 

Sources:

*Term „microactions” was coined by SYPartners and used in their own practice, 
Liz Fosslien, Mollie West Duffy “No Hard Feelings” 

#diversity #różnorodność