It’s amazing what people don’t think to tell you when you’re new to their place of business. Everyone should be required to work somewhere new for a “first day” about once a year to remember what it’s like. Someone who’s worked in
same office for months of years forgets, so you’ll have to remind them.Every new employee needs to know at absolute minimum:
·Where to park ·Dress code, especially Friday’s ·What hours are – arrival, lunch and departure ·Do you go to lunch at a certain time, or work around others’ lunch hours ·Is there a time clock? How does it work? ·Location of restrooms, break room, cafeteria ·Where is first-aid kit ·If you’re answering phone, how do they prefer it be answered ·Where do messages go ·How does coffee machine work? Are you expected to make it? ·Location of nearby restaurants if there’s no on-site cafeteria ·How to work necessary office machines – codes, etc. ·Where supplies are kept and how to get them ·Names and positions of other employees you’ll interact with ·Any information you need to know about your immediate supervisor – How does she like her phone messages? Do you communicate by email or in person? Is it a closed-door policy? ·If you’re new, have you filled out all paperwork? If you’re a temp, who signs your timesheets and what’s process? ·Have others been informed about your name, position and length of hire if a temp
Don’t be ashamed to request all this information when you first arrive. It can seem awkward to inquire about coffee and restrooms, but these are things you need to know.
How to handle this?
The best thing to do is be proactive. Arrive with a list of these items in your hand. You can probably think of other important things you need to know to add to it. When you’re greeted and ushered to your desk, request that person answer some questions which will allow you to do your work better. Then proceed through your list.
It’s unfortunate that you’ll have to deal with fact that many people think their way of doing things is only way of doing things, or way that everyone does this. When you ask how to answer phone, you may be given a look like “Don’t you even know how to do that?” The fact is that there are many professional and acceptable ways to answer a phone, and most businesses have their own personal preference. You can’t know ahead of time, so don’t be apologetic for asking.
