Buddy

Buddy – who is a buddy and what is his role?

A “Work Buddy” is a person who supports a new employee in their first days and weeks in a new company. Most often, it is an experienced employee who acts as a guide and helps in the adaptation process. The role of a buddy is to support the new employee both in the formal onboarding process and in finding their way in the new work environment.

In the onboarding process, a buddy is responsible for introducing a new employee to the organizational culture, accompanies them in getting to know the organization and is a person who facilitates contact with other employees. Being the first point of contact in case of doubts, questions or problems is one of his most important tasks. That is why it is said that a buddy cares about comfort, safety and a smooth entry into duties.

Buddy in the onboarding process

Buddy is crucial in the onboarding process – he is the one who will introduce a new team member and facilitate faster onboarding to everyday tasks. This makes the adaptation process more efficient and the new person feels more confident in the new workplace.

Buddy in onboarding often acts as a guide to the organization – he explains procedures, shows tools, explains the rules and introduces the organizational culture. It is not a direct supervisor, but an equal person from the team, who, thanks to his experience, facilitates integration with other team members.

Buddy function and its tasks

Although in some companies buddas is a formalized function, it is most often accepted voluntarily. The duties of a buddy depend on the specifics of the organization, but the most common include:

• welcoming and care on the first day and at the pre-onboarding stage,
• being the first contact for a new employee,
• explaining daily tasks and work rules,
• Completing office supplies – notebook/calendar, pen or work tools – computer, phone, mouse, equipment bag
• assistance in understanding the culture of the organization and integration with other team members,
• mental support, i.e. conversation, motivation, breaking barriers,
• sharing experience and giving practical guidance,
• positive feedback for a new employee that supports the learning process.

Examples of buddy tasks include, for example, showing around the office, introducing co-workers, explaining the operation of systems or accompanying in the first team meetings.

The Buddy system in organizations

The buddy system is an element of employee onboarding, which plays an important role in the integration and acclimatization of new people. In practice, this means that a good buddy not only facilitates the onboarding of an employee, but is also responsible for building relationships between him and other team members.

In the process of onboarding, a buddha is an important support, both substantive and social – he explains, advises, and at the same time gives a sense of security and belonging. The benefits of implementing this system are visible to both the company and the new person: faster productivity, higher engagement and reduced turnover.

Benefits and Importance of the Buddy Role

The role of the buddy is crucial at every stage of the onboarding process for a new team member. For the organization, it is a guarantee of a better start for employees, and for the buddy himself, it is a chance to develop his role in the company, build leadership competencies and strengthen his position in the team.

It is not without reason that it is said that every organization needs a buddy – it is he who supports the new employee, acts as a guide and makes sure that the person who finds himself in a new environment can quickly and comfortably find himself in the reality of the new job.

Like any solution, the effectiveness of the buddy program should be systematically monitored. This can be done through qualitative research and in-depth conversations with new employees. They are the ones who will best answer the question of whether buddy’s support has made it easier for them to enter the organization. It is also worth evaluating the experiences of the buddhas themselves and creating a space where they can assess their commitment to this role and report developmental needs.

Summary

Buddy accompanies the newcomer from his first days in the organization. Thanks to it, the onboarding of a new employee becomes simpler and the onboarding process more effective. The buddy function strengthens the sense of belonging, because it makes sure that every newcomer in a new work environment has support, a sense of security and a good start. A good buddy is not only a teammate, but also a person who acts as a guide and plays an important role in the integration of the entire organization.