Starting a new job is nerve-wracking. Starting a new remote job? Even more so.
There’s no office to walk into, no desk waiting with your name on it, no coworker to wave you toward the coffee machine. Just a laptop, a Zoom link, and the vague hope that someone remembered you were starting today.
For remote employees, day one sets the tone for their entire experience. Nail it, and they feel like they belong. Fumble it, and they wonder if they made the wrong choice.
Before Day One: Preparation Is Everything
Ship Their Equipment Early
Nothing says “we weren’t ready for you” like waiting for a laptop. Ship equipment to arrive 2-3 days before start date.
Send a Welcome Package
A physical welcome kit bridges the digital gap:
- Company swag (t-shirt, notebook, sticker)
- A handwritten welcome note
- Snacks or a coffee gift card
Assign an Onboarding Buddy
Pair them with someone who isn’t their manager—a peer who can answer the “dumb questions.”
Pre-Schedule Their First Week
Block their calendar with welcome meetings, meet-and-greets, and onboarding sessions. A blank calendar on day one is disorienting.
Day One: The First Hour Matters Most
Be Online and Waiting
Their first scheduled call should start on time, with their manager already in the Zoom room, camera on, smiling.
Start With Connection, Not Paperwork
Before forms and policies, have a human conversation:
- How was their weekend?
- Are they excited? Nervous?
Give Them a Virtual Tour
Overview of communication tools, where to find documents, who’s who, where to go for help.
Introduce Them Publicly
Send a team-wide message with their name, role, background, and a fun fact.
The Digital Welcome Card
A group welcome card is one of the simplest and most impactful gestures. Before their start date, invite team members to contribute:
- A welcome message
- A tip for their first week
- A fun photo or GIF
Deliver it on day one. Reading 10-20 personalized messages creates instant connection.
Week One: Building Belonging
Schedule Meaningful 1:1s
Not just meetings about work—actual conversations.
Create “Accidental” Encounters
Add them to casual Slack channels, invite them to optional social events.
Give Them a Quick Win
Assign a small, achievable task they can complete in their first few days.
Ask for Their First Impressions
“What’s been surprising? What questions do you still have?”
A Simple Day One Checklist
✅ Equipment arrived early and works
✅ Welcome package delivered
✅ Onboarding buddy assigned
✅ Calendar pre-populated
✅ Manager online and ready at start time
✅ Team introduction sent
✅ Welcome card delivered
✅ First week 1:1s scheduled
✅ Quick win task assigned
✅ Check-in at end of day one
The Bottom Line
Remote employees can’t experience the energy of an office on their first day. But they can open their laptop to find a calendar full of people excited to meet them, a Slack channel buzzing with welcome messages, and a team genuinely prepared for their arrival.
That’s what makes someone feel welcome. Not proximity—intentionality.