What to Include in an Employee Welcome Kit? Complete Guide for HR Teams
A welcome kit for an employee helps a new employee settle down quickly and introduces them to the workplace in a friendly way. The perfect corporate gift for a new worker can include useful items such as a laptop bag, notebooks, bottles, stationery, accessories and other branded products.
An employee welcome kit helps new hires learn about your company and become familiar with the work environment. When customized with the appropriate items, an employee welcome kit can also provide employees with a cohesive feel for your company.
There is no need to fill every employee welcome kit with too many products. Instead, it is better to hand-pick items that will be beneficial to employees, taking into consideration their needs, your branding, office setting and budget.
The best employee welcome kit is not necessarily the biggest one. Choose practical products that employees can use while also reflecting your company's branding and workplace culture.
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What Is an Employee Welcome Kit?
An employee welcome kit is a package of useful products and company materials distributed to an employee when they start a new job. The contents can change according to the company, workplace, employee role, budget and onboarding needs.
A welcome kit can include:
- Customized T-shirts or polo T-shirts
- Laptop bags or backpacks
- Water bottles
- Diaries or notebooks
- Pens
- Customized mugs or tumblers
- Mouse pads
- Desk accessories
- Employee ID cards or badges
- Company information or welcome materials
- Other branded merchandise
Rather than including everything in one package, you can choose only the products that are relevant to the employee and the purpose of the welcome kit.
Why Should Companies Provide Employee Welcome Kits?
An employee welcome kit can make onboarding more systematic while giving new employees useful products and company information from the beginning of their journey with the organization.
Creates a Positive First Impression
The onboarding process is the first encounter a new employee has with the company. An efficiently coordinated and packaged welcome kit can create an organized and warm welcome.
Supports Employee Onboarding
A welcome kit can gather necessary company items and everyday products in one easy-to-obtain package. This can help HR teams provide new employees with useful workplace essentials.
Builds a Consistent Brand Identity
You can add the company logo and branding to personalized T-shirts, bags, bottles, notebooks and other items. Consistent branding can give the welcome kit a coordinated corporate look.
For broader branded merchandise requirements, explore the corporate gifting collection.
Provides Useful Workplace Products
Companies can choose practical products rather than gifts that may not be used. Bottles, bags, notebooks and desk accessories can become useful parts of an employee's daily work routine.
Supports Company Culture
Company information and branded products can help communicate your organization's identity and workplace environment to new employees.
What to Include in an Employee Welcome Kit?
What to include in an employee welcome kit will depend on the nature of your business and the position for which you are hiring. The following items may be suitable for many companies.
| Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| T-Shirt or Polo T-Shirt | Company branding and team camaraderie |
| Laptop Bag | Carrying laptop and work essentials |
| Water Bottle | Everyday workplace use |
| Notebook or Diary | Notes, meetings and planning |
| Pen | Daily office use |
| Mug or Tumbler | Workplace beverage use |
| Mouse Pad | Desk setup |
| ID Card or Badge | Employee identification |
| Welcome Letter | Introduction to the organization |
| Company Information | Helpful onboarding information |
You do not need every item. It is better to select products based on the needs of the employee and the purpose of the welcome kit.
Customized T-Shirts for New Employees
Another item to consider adding to an employee welcome kit is a custom T-shirt. You can put the company logo, company name or other preferred branding on the T-shirt.
The type of clothing can depend on the position and requirements of the personnel. For example, typical cotton T-shirts may be suitable for daily use, while dry-fit T-shirts may be suitable for teams working in the field or performing more active tasks.
You can explore custom T-shirts with your company logo for corporate requirements and employee welcome kits.
Things to Consider When Ordering Employee T-Shirts
- Fabric quality
- T-shirt style
- Available sizes
- Brand colours
- Logo placement
- Printing method
- Total quantity
- Budget per T-shirt
To reduce sizing and manufacturing mistakes, HR teams should prepare employee measurements before ordering in bulk.
Choosing the Right T-Shirt Type
For a more formal or everyday office environment, a customized polo T-shirt can be considered. For teams that need a more casual option, a round-neck T-shirt may be suitable.
DS Prints also lists customized cotton round-neck T-shirts and dry-fit T-shirts with brand logo printing.
Laptop Bags and Backpacks
A laptop bag or backpack is likely to be one of the most functional items in an employee welcome kit. Employees can use it to carry their laptop to and from work as well as documents, chargers and other essentials.
The inclusion of your company's logo on the bag can turn a practical product into a branded item that employees can use regularly.
For branded employee kits, you can explore custom printed laptop bags with logo or browse the laptop bags collection.
Tips for Choosing the Perfect Laptop Bag
- Laptop compartment size
- Bag material
- Storage capacity
- Number of compartments
- Carrying comfort
- Branding area
- Design
- Durability
There are different bag requirements for office-based, hybrid and travelling workers, so HR teams should select a bag according to the employee's working needs.
Employee Welcome Kit Checklist
Before placing a bulk order, HR teams can use the following checklist to keep the employee welcome kit practical and consistent.
| Area | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Employee needs | Are the selected products relevant to the employee's role? |
| Branding | Are the logo, company name and brand colours correct? |
| T-shirts | Have sizes, fabric, style and printing requirements been confirmed? |
| Laptop bags | Does the bag provide the required laptop space and storage? |
| Quantity | Has the total number of employees been confirmed? |
| Budget | Does the kit stay within the planned budget? |
| Quality | Have product quality and durability been considered? |
| Packaging | Are the products organized as one complete welcome kit? |
Other Useful Items for an Employee Welcome Kit
Depending on the role and purpose of the kit, companies can combine several practical branded products. For example, a bottle can be paired with a mug or tumbler, while a pen can be combined with a diary or other desk essentials.
You can also explore custom printed diary and pen sets when stationery is an important part of the kit.
For a ready combination of useful products, DS Prints also offers corporate gift sets with an insulated bottle, pen and keychain and executive gift sets with diary, pen, card holder and keychain.
How to Choose the Right Employee Welcome Kit?
The right employee welcome kit depends on the employee, workplace and purpose of the onboarding package. Instead of selecting products only because they look attractive, HR teams can consider how each item will be used.
Consider the Employee's Role
Different employees can have different requirements. An office-based employee may need a laptop bag and desk products, while an employee who works in the field may benefit from practical, easy-to-carry products.
Consider Your Branding
Keep company colours, logo placement and product style consistent so that the complete kit has a coordinated appearance.
Consider the Budget
The number of products does not need to be the same for every company. Select products that provide practical value while staying within the planned budget.
Consider Product Usefulness
Useful everyday products can make the welcome kit more relevant to employees. Bottles, bags, T-shirts, notebooks, pens and desk accessories are examples of products that can be selected according to employee needs.
Create a Branded Employee Welcome Kit
DS Prints provides customized products that can be used for employee welcome kits and corporate gifting requirements.
Explore corporate gifting products, or request a quote for your bulk requirements.
An employee welcome kit may consist of a tailor-made T-shirt, laptop or office bag, water bottle, notebooks and diaries, pen, mug, desk accessories, and ID and onboarding material.
Employee welcome kits can facilitate the onboarding process and also supply workers with essential items, as well as get them acquainted with the company culture and brand.
Pricing varies based on the variety and quantity of items, design, production quality, packaging, and order volume. The company has to decide the budget per employee before the product selection.
Yes. Most employee kit items are able to be customised with a company logo, colours, company name or other branded elements. The way in which the product is customised will vary depending on the item and materials
Yes, Various kits can be prepared based on the job role, department, and specific needs of the employee, says Pavitra. Based on the job role and work environment, you can prepare kits for different teams or individuals. For instance, office-based staff and field staff will require different kits.
There is not any specific number of items that are important in the welcome kit, but the presence of useful items should be maintained. It can be also decided based on budget of the company.
