Want a more inclusive workplace? Start by welcoming every new hire 1:1
To mark National AccessAbility Week in Canada (May 29 to June 4, 2022), we’re highlighting some of the people and processes within our department that have a positive impact on our desire to reflect all Canadians in what we build and how we do it.
This is the final story from this series. Please read other stories from this series here:
One of my first childhood memories is hearing radio ads for our local Welcome Wagon — a local community group composed of mostly well-intentioned and friendly white women who would show up at your new home with treats, coupons and greetings to welcome you to the neighbourhood. Granted, as post-Vietnam war refugees, my family was never offered the service but the general sentiment remains with me — the need for friendly, caring faces bringing smiles, friendship and local gossip of the best places to shop, eat and be generally merry.
So early in my role as CBC’s Digital Strategy and Product department’s new Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Lead, I wondered if being the welcome wagon for our new hires could chip away at the challenges of starting a new job — especially in the era of remote work. The transition to any new employer is nerve-wrecking, no matter the role, your seniority or how much of a gregarious extrovert you are. But as a disabled, Asian, single mom and introvert living through a pandemic, my anxiety was on overdrive.
What does being the Welcome Wagon mean for me and our department? For our department, it means I set up a personal meeting with all new staff members to the department, even if they are internal moves from other CBC/Radio-Canada departments. I title the meeting “Diversity & Inclusion coffee”. In the meeting description I write this:
“I’m Ratsamy (she/her) — our department’s Diversity & Inclusion Strategy Lead. As part of your onboarding/orientation, in addition to my own, I’m setting up individual virtual coffee with all new hires.
I’d love to chat with you to learn more about you, your journey to CBC and hear more about your recruitment journey. I would also like to share our department and CBC’s broader Diversity & Inclusion priorities and initiatives and my role, as many haven’t had such a position in their workplace.
Please reschedule if this time doesn’t work for you.”
During our 30- minute meeting I start by telling them there is no agenda. Rather: this time together is an opportunity for them to meet another friendly face outside of their team.
During COVID and now in our hybrid workplace, we hired staff from all over the country, so some team members may never come into the office. These individuals will never have a spontaneous meetup and conversation at the coffee machine, or see that a coworker is reading an intriguing book. My Welcome Wagon visit is intended to serve as an intentional meetup — a chance for my new team members to share more about themselves and for me to share my experiences of the department in turn. As individuals share their hobbies, interests or about their family, I try to connect them to someone in the department who shares the same interests.
I listen intentionally and endeavor to celebrate who they are. For instance, I noticed that one of our new developers had many Star Wars Lego models in their background. Since my son LOVES Star Wars Lego, we spent a good ten minutes discussing the different types of Star Wars sets available and sharing amusing stories of difficult builds. I then got great advice on which models to consider for my son’s next birthday.
Another co-worker and I shared our love of Henry Cavill and the Witcher series. We talked about the books, the Netflix series and geeked out about our crush on the yummy star. My purpose in these meetings is to try to create a small connection to the new staff member — a connection outside of work, deadlines or deliverables.
In the last portion of our meet-up, I share my role in the department. I don’t share specific initiatives per se, but rather the role I play in the department. Maybe more importantly, I share how and why they can connect with me. I offer friendship (if nothing else) but also someone who can listen, cheerlead, problem solve, answer random questions, be an advocate, etc. I leave it up to them how they want to connect with me, but I remind them that my role is to be their support as they need me. No topic is off limits — good, bad or downright ugly.
These Welcome Wagon meetings are always a highlight of my week. I get as much out of them as I hope the new person does. So, get ready to have coffee with me when you join our team. I can’t wait to meet you.
To join our teams at CBC, check out our current openings here!
