Buddy Systems Alleviate HR Pain Points and Improve New Hire Experience, Says HR Research Firm McLean & Company

Implement a Buddy System at Work is the most recent research-driven resource from McLean & Company, the industry-respected partner for HR and business executives worldwide. The goal of this data-supported guidance is to assist HR directors in developing a more standardized and efficient onboarding process. A “buddy system” is an easy-to-implement approach that McLean & Company research indicates is effective at helping new employees adjust to a new organization and function. HR is faced with continual issues, such as considerable turnover and competition in the talent marketplace.

Both the manager and the new hire experience excitement and tension during onboarding, and new hires frequently require additional assistance to adjust to their new roles. Positive acclimation experiences increase employee engagement by 1.8 times as compared to negative experiences, according to McLean & Company’s New Hire Survey Database.

A friend is not the same as a coach or mentor. The seasoned internal employee who helps a new hire adjust to the company is referred to as a “buddy” in this context. Throughout the first several months of their jobs, the buddy serves as a helpful point of contact for new hires, offering guidance, fielding inquiries, and setting people up.

According to the report, buddy systems can help HR with some of its pain points by offering new workers continuous support beyond their initial orientation without requiring a large time or resource commitment.