The Buddy System for Onboarding
Every new employee should have a buddy to help them onboard.
Onboarding is one of the most critical factors in a new employee’s long-term success. While many companies provide a set of documents and manager check-ins, one of the most effective and overlooked onboarding tools is assigning every new hire a buddy: a peer who can help them navigate their first few months.
Read more in this Harvard Business Review study with Microsoft.
How to Make the Buddy System Work
A successful buddy system isn’t just about randomly pairing employees, it requires intentional planning.
Make onboarding a shared responsibility - Both the buddy and the new hire should actively engage.
Ensure the buddy has time - Assigning this role to an overloaded employee will make it ineffective.
Set expectations on both sides - Clarify how the buddy should support the new hire and how the new hire should engage.
The Value for the New Employee
A well-structured buddy program helps new hires adjust quickly, feel supported, and become productive faster.
A Judgment-Free Zone for Questions - From “Where’s the bathroom?” to “How do I submit an expense report?”, a buddy provides a safe space for asking questions without the fear of seeming unprepared.
Hands-On Learning and Support - Most onboarding guides can’t replace real-time help. A buddy can offer support, helping the new employee learn processes, tools, and team expectations in a direct way.
Peer-Level Feedback - Managers should provide feedback, but peers offer an additional layer of guidance. A buddy can give constructive feedback on how the new hire is adapting without the formality of a performance review.
Cultural Integration - Beyond official communication guidelines, every team has unwritten rules about how work gets done.
The Value for the Buddy
Being an onboarding buddy isn’t just about helping the new hire, it’s also a growth opportunity for the current employee.
Building Mentorship Skills - Mentoring others is key to career development, whether someone wants to move into leadership or simply become a stronger teammate.
The Protégé Effect - Explaining company processes to someone else reinforces the buddy’s own understanding. They may even uncover areas where the team could improve.
Gaining a Fresh Perspective - New employees bring new ideas and outside perspectives. Buddies get a unique opportunity to challenge old assumptions and rethink how things are done.
Final Thoughts
Companies spend considerable time and resources hiring the right people. Hiring is barely half the battle, the real challenge is helping new employees integrate, contribute, and succeed quickly. A great metric to focus on is time-to-productivity, along with the satisfaction of both the new employee and the team. A buddy system helps new hires apply their skills within the company’s unique context while ensuring they feel supported and engaged from day one.