[Chia]

"No matter what you give them, there's a lot to be said for presentation"

Amen! A new employee should come into a clean cube with supplies in the desk. If I get the chance, I ask what their favorite type of pen is. Most have favorites. One thing we did was give the new employee the office catalog and let them order what they want (no one was ever stupid enough to order anything out of line like a Blackberry).

A list of local restaurants is helpful too. That way they have an idea of what is available.

Personally I bring my favs with me (I am currently temping) and know what I like to use in a job.

[sabrinafaire]

A map would be good, esp if you're in a cube farm or if you have several buildings in a "campus" set up. At my last job we sometimes put up signs saying "Welcome Stanley" that team members would sign to help the person feel welcome. Making sure they have someone to take them to lunch the first few days helps too, though that's not really a supply...

[lilmouse]

Does it contain anything for the nerves? I am teasing. That was what just came to my mind. I am 53, working on my MOA Certificate then going on for my A.S. Degree. I am nervous because I am changing fields.

Enough said, I think that some brush on glue would come in handy. You never know when you might need it.

[gana]

I have tried to develop a standard of new employee office supply kit. First, there should be "one time supply", the basic items such as table telephone, paper tray, pen box, stapler, hole maker, scissors and other things like headphone, business card holder according to their job. Only managers who need to make call using Skype can get provided with headphone.
The employee have right to order above things once a year. If one of the poeple orders paper tray within 1 year since provided, you can deny. Sticky notes, staples, paper clips or pens are monthly supply. Papers also needs to be limited to make your people understand people that they are not in the paper store. Also you can have a basket filled with stationaries might be useful like glue, ruler, correction pen, scotch, eraser etc (these items are not daly use) in the office for use of everyone.

[Kateena]

Originally Posted by aussieadmin

This is not strictly stationery but I found an office map with staff names matched against their desk to be very useful.

I do this for all new employees in our office.
I know it would have helped me immensly when I first started. It's daunting to be quickly introduced to everyone on your first day - and then be expected to transfer all their calls to them!

It's also important to provide details of where to find the Organisational Chart, so they know who else is at their level.

I think the bottle filled with lollies is a fantastic idea too. For a while, we gave out laptop bags with a thermos, stickers, stress ball, pens - all with the company logo.

New staff enjoyed those. It made them really feel like part of the team.

I'm really enjoying getting ideas from everyone else! You guys sound like you're doing great jobs!

-K