What every onboarding pack needs: practical tools, branded essentials, a personal welcome, and thoughtful touches that help new hires feel prepared and valued from day one.
Quick Answer: What Every Onboarding Pack Needs
- Branded office essentials
- A welcome message from leadership
- Work-ready tech
- Culture-driven swag
- Wellness items
- Personalised touches
- Clear onboarding information
What Is an Onboarding Pack?
Onboarding packs are carefully curated kits that companies provide to new employees, usually on their first day. These packs typically include essential tools, resources, and branded merchandise that help new employees feel welcomed and prepared for their role.
Beyond practical value, a well-crafted onboarding pack can deliver a powerful first impression, signalling a positive and supportive workplace culture from day one.
The importance of a solid onboarding experience is backed by research: statistics show that employees are 69% more likely to stay with a company for three years or more if they had a structured onboarding experience (source: SHRM).
In an era where retention is key, onboarding packs serve as a strategic tool for enhancing employee engagement, reducing turnover, and embedding newcomers into the company’s culture.
Why Onboarding Packs Matter for Employee Experience
A thoughtful onboarding pack does more than simply provide work essentials; it represents the company’s culture, values, and care for its employees.
An effective onboarding experience can increase productivity by up to 50% (source: Devlin Peck), while simultaneously creating a sense of belonging for new employees.
The items within the onboarding pack contributes to a seamless transition, making employees feel more comfortable and confident in their roles from day one.
The 3-Part Onboarding Pack Framework
The most effective onboarding packs aren’t just a collection of items – they’re built with balance in mind.
At a high level, every great onboarding pack includes three types of elements:
1. Practical
These are the tools that help employees get started and feel equipped from day one. Think office essentials, tech accessories, and clear onboarding information.
2. Cultural
These items bring your brand and values to life. A welcome message from leadership or thoughtfully chosen merchandise helps new hires understand what your company stands for.
3. Personal
This is where onboarding becomes memorable. Personalised items or wellness-focused touches show care and help employees feel genuinely valued.
When these three areas come together, an onboarding pack feels less like a checklist and more like a considered experience.
Here’s how these elements come to life in a well-designed onboarding pack:
7 Essentials Every Onboarding Pack Should Include
1. Branded Office Essentials
For office-based teams, notebooks and pens support day-to-day productivity. For remote teams, items like mouse pads or USB hubs help recreate a functional workspace at home. These tools provide a foundation for productivity and introduce new hires to the company’s branding.
2. Welcome Letter from Leadership
A personal welcome from a company leader – whether it’s the CEO or team manager – helps build rapport early.
This letter should briefly express enthusiasm for the new hire’s contributions and offer an encouraging start. A warm, genuine message shows the company values its employees at every level.
3. Work-Ready Tech Gear
If relevant to the role, consider including practical tech items like headphones, chargers, or stylus pens.
Workplace tech items ensure employees are equipped with what they need from day one and underscore the company’s commitment to supporting them with high-quality tools for success.
4. Swag That Reflects Company Culture
Beyond the basics, consider including items that reflect the company’s unique culture and values. For instance, a company book with stories from existing employees, a branded hoodie, or even a voucher for a team lunch.
These items help new hires quickly understand your company culture and how it shows up day to day.
5. Health and Wellness Essentials
Increasingly companies are now adding wellness items to their onboarding kits, such as reusable water bottles, stress balls, or mindfulness journals.
These items promote a culture of well-being and show employees that the company values their health, which can be particularly motivating and supportive.
6. Personalised Touches
Whether it’s a name-engraved pen, a custom coffee mug, or an item reflecting the new hire’s interests, small personalised gifts leave a lasting impression.
Personalisation adds a layer of warmth and thoughtfulness, helping employees feel seen and valued right from the start.
7. Information for a Smooth Start
Finally, include practical information: company values, a team directory, login instructions, or tips for navigating the workspace.
A “Survival Guide” booklet with tips and FAQs can go a long way in helping new employees settle into their roles, understand expectations, and to integrate with ease.
The best onboarding packs don’t just welcome employees – they show them how your company works, what it values, and why it’s worth being part of.
How to Create an Onboarding Pack That Actually Gets Used
Investing in an onboarding pack is more than just providing tools and gifts; it’s about making a meaningful first impression that sets new employees up for success.
With items that are both practical and personal, an onboarding pack can showcase the company’s values and foster a sense of belonging from day one. By including a mix of office essentials, cultural insights, and personalised touches, companies can create an onboarding experience that resonates, inspires, and builds loyalty among new hires.
Looking for help designing memorable onboarding packs that resonate with your team?
At Honeycomb, we design onboarding packs that balance practicality, brand impact, and long-term usability so items don’t just get received, they get used. Contact our team today to learn how we can help create onboarding experiences that make every new hire feel welcomed and valued from the very start.