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Organisational Learning Method – Assign Buddies

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Buddies provide a sense of welcome to new employees and assurances that they will be supported in their journey with the organisation. A buddy is someone who partners with a new employee during his/her first few months of employment, typically lasting 1-3 months. The role and responsibilities of the buddy ranges from offering advice on organisational procedures and guidance on knowledge resources to introducing the new employee to other employees and the organisational culture. In addition, assigning a buddy also provide a single point-of-contact to answer the new employee’s queries on practical work related matters, organisational processes and procedures.

  1. Learn about each other’s background, experience, interests, etc.
  2. Decide on the most important and relevant things to cover.
  3. Respond to any immediate questions new employee may have.
  4. Show the employee around.
  5. Introduce new employee to other colleagues.
  6. Agree on frequency, length and method of communication.
  7. Invite new employee to relevant business or social events.
  8. Decide if and how to continue the buddy relationship. Have a wrap-up with employee, HR, and hiring manager.

  1. Organisation / management
    • Promote the use of a buddy system to ease new employee to a new work environment and inculcate the company’s culture, values, and priorities to the new employee.
    • Select experienced employees who display a strong work ethic, company values and culture and not just whoever is available.
    • Provide objectives, timelines, instructions and support to workplace buddies.
  2. Workplace ‘trainer’
    • Set time to be accessible and available to the new employee.
    • Get familiar with employee’s role and work unit.
    • Familiarize the new employee to company’s culture, norms, and unwritten guidelines.
    • Answer questions and refer the employee to the appropriate resources.
  3. Workplace ‘learner’
    • Be open and ask questions whenever you are unsure. Get to know more people in the company.
    • Get to know the buddy at a personal level and find out more about his/her experience in navigating the company’s culture and systems.
    • Show thanks to your buddy. Give him/her a treat after the buddy period.