The need to support new hires may seem obvious, but is often limited in a new employee’s experience during their first period. Beside the manager’s role during onboarding, a broader (team) effort can ensure the onboarding experience is more positive and productive.
That’s why more and more organizations are discovering that assigning a dedicated onboarding buddy can positively transform your onboarding program.
In this blog, I will share with you what a buddy program is, what the benefits and goals are, and how it can transform your onboarding experience. Whether you’re building a program from scratch or refining an existing one, you’ll find practical insights and tips to make a positive impact with your buddy program.
What is a Buddy Program?
A buddy program pairs a new hire with a more experienced employee; someone who’s not their manager but knows the ropes and can offer guidance, support, and a friendly face.
By having a go-to person who understands the company culture and day-to-day realities, new hires can navigate their first weeks with more confidence and clarity.
Over time, this kind of support can lead to stronger engagement, faster time to productivity, and a more positive overall experience.
Goals Of An Onboarding Buddy Program
An onboarding buddy program has the following goals:
Infographic with goals
1. Help new hires feel supported and connected
An onboarding buddy program boosts employee retention by easing the transition into a new role, reducing early-stage stress and uncertainty. When new hires feel supported and connected, they’re more likely to develop loyalty and commitment to the organization.
Buddies also help clarify expectations and reinforce company values, which can prevent misunderstandings that lead to disengagement.
Last, the program also signals that the company invests in its people, enhancing job satisfaction and trust. Over time, these positive experiences contribute to lower turnover and a more stable, motivated employees.
2. Better socialization
Buddies introduce newcomers to team dynamics, communication styles, and informal networks that aren’t always visible in formal training. This relationship encourages open dialogue, making it easier for new employees to ask questions and build confidence.
By sharing cultural insights and social norms, buddies help new hires integrate more naturally into the workplace community. Ultimately, this socialization and support can make a positive difference in social integration.
3. Encourage Knowledge sharing
Knowledge sharing is a key goal of a buddy program because it helps transfer practical, experience-based insights that aren’t captured in formal documentation. Buddies can offer tips, shortcuts, and context that accelerate learning and reduce mistakes.
This informal exchange builds a culture of openness and collaboration, encouraging continuous learning across the organization
Main Benefits Of A Onboarding Buddy Program
Research from Klinghoffer (2019) found that there are several advantages to having an onboarding buddy system in the workplace:
Infographic with benefits
Onboarding buddies provide context
New hires need context to fully understand their role and how they will contribute to the organization’s success. Onboarding buddies can give the type of context that cannot be found in the employee handbook, such as shining light on cultural norms and any unwritten rules that exist. This insider knowledge can lead to a more seamless transition into the organization.
1. Onboarding buddies boost productivity
New hires often feel the tension between performing well quickly and needing time to learn the job. A buddy is an extra layer of support that may help them to become productive in their role more quickly.
2. Increased Productivity With Buddy Program At Microsoft
After piloting a buddy program involving 600 employees across the organization, Microsoft found that the more the onboarding buddy met with the new hire, the greater the new hire’s perception was of their own speed to productivity:
3. Onboarding buddies improve new employee satisfaction
New employees who feel genuinely supported through consistent, active communication from both management and their buddy, are likely to be more satisfied with the onboarding journey and stay more engaged throughout the process.
Increased Employee Satisfaction With Buddy Program At Microsoft
At the same buddy program implementation at Microsoft, new hires with buddies were 23 percent more satisfied with their overall onboarding experience after their first week on the job compared to those without buddies. This trend continued at 90 days with a 36 percent increase in satisfaction. New hires with buddies also reported receiving more active support from both their manager and the broader team.
Who Can Be an Onboarding buddy?
Research has shown that onboarding buddies reporting to the same manager receive more favorable ratings than those who report to different managers. Why? Probably, because buddies who report to the same manager are also more familiar with the new hire’s role and responsibilities. If the onboarding buddy lacks an understanding of the new hire’s role it can create frustration for both parties. Additionally, the following aspects are important:
- Lead by example: The buddy is someone who represents company values and is a person that others look up to or see as an example.
- Approachable and empathetic: Someone who genuinely enjoys helping others.
- Knowledgeable: They should understand the company’s culture, systems, and workflows.
- Available: A buddy needs time to support their new hire, so workload and bandwidth matter.
- Communicative: Clear, friendly communication is key to building trust and rapport.
It’s also helpful to match buddies based on shared interests, roles, or backgrounds to create natural connections.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even well-intentioned buddy programs can fall flat if not thoughtfully designed. Here are some pitfalls to watch out for:
Mistake 1: No structure or explanations
Don’t assume a new buddy knows what to do. Without clear guidance, they might feel unsure or do nothing at all. To make the buddy program work, explain their role and give them a simple structure to follow.
How to avoid:
- Outline the time period and commitment. Structural meetings over a period of 9-12 weeks works well.
- Create an information sheet that provides the buddy with concrete information about what is expected from him/her.
- Provide the buddy with a checklist with specific tasks and topics to cover.
Mistake 2: Poor Buddy Matching
Pairing the wrong people can lead to a bad experience. Choose buddies who reflect company values, are approachable, and have time to support a new hire. Ask managers for input and use good judgment when making matches
How to avoid:
- Use manager input and common sense to pair a buddy.
- The ideal buddy represents company values and is someone that others look up to or see as an example.
- The buddy should also have enough time available to guide a new hire.
Mistake 3: Neglecting feedback
If you don’t ask for feedback, you won’t know what’s working or what needs fixing. Check in with both buddies and new hires regularly and make sure to act on what you hear. Use their input to improve the program and keep it helpful for everyone.
How to avoid:
- Set up a questionnaire that can be filled out by buddies and new hires to collect feedback.
- Use this feedback to refine the onboarding program.
- As an additional action, you can send a questionnaire beforehand and afterwards to measure whether expectations have been met.
Mistake 4: Not managing expectations well
If buddies and new hires don’t know what to expect, they might feel confused or disappointed. Be clear about the purpose of the program, what each person’s role is, and how long it will last. Setting expectations early helps avoid misunderstandings and makes it easier to follow through.
How to avoid:
- Share a simple overview of the buddy program upfront
- Explain each person’s role and responsibilities
- Clarify what is notpart of the buddy’s role
- Set a clear timeline and check-in points
Conclusion
A well-designed buddy program can transform how new hires experience their first weeks on the job. By offering support, sharing knowledge, and helping new employees feel connected, buddies play a key role in boosting engagement, productivity, and satisfaction. The three main benefits of a buddy program are:
- Onboarding buddies provide context
- Onboarding buddies boost productivity
- Onboarding buddies improve new employee satisfaction
To truly succeed, the program needs structure, thoughtful matching, clear expectations, and regular feedback. When done right, a buddy program isn’t just a nice-to-have, but a powerful tool for building a more welcoming workplace.
