Every new employee is paired with an onboarding buddy for their first three months. Your buddy is not your manager and is not responsible for your performance. They are there to answer everyday questions, introduce you to colleagues, and help you feel at home faster.
What your buddy can help with
Your buddy can help you:
- understand how things work in your team and across the organization
- get to know colleagues and how the team communicates
- understand informal ways of working
There is no expectation that you already know what to ask. Your buddy is there to help you find your way.
Getting started
Your buddy will usually get in touch before or during your first days. A short conversation during your first week is a good opportunity to agree on how you will stay in touch and what would be useful to cover.
You might discuss:
- how often you want to check in
- which communication channel to use
- who to contact for different kinds of questions
- anything you would like to understand better about your new workplace
The relationship is informal. It is not a formal mentoring commitment.
Finding the right information
Your buddy does not need to know every answer. If you have a question, your buddy can help you find the right place to look or point you to the appropriate person or team. The goal is to help you become more confident in finding information yourself and using the resources available to you.
If it isn't a good fit
Buddy relationships are meant to be comfortable and useful for both sides. If the pairing doesn't feel right, you can ask People Operations about changing your buddy.
The goal is a low-pressure relationship that makes your first weeks easier.
For HR: Information about the organization and coordination of the program is available in the HR knowledge space.
