WELCOMING a new member of staff is about much more than showing them where to sit, explaining their responsibilities and handing them a list of tasks.

The first few days can shape how a person feels about an organisation, their colleagues and their own place within the team. A thoughtful welcome can make someone feel valued, respected and confident from the very beginning.

The first step is to make sure their arrival is expected. Nothing makes a new employee feel more uncomfortable than arriving to find that nobody knows who they are or why they are there.

Their workspace, equipment and any necessary paperwork should be ready. Someone should also be available to greet them personally and introduce them to the people they will be working with.