The Downtown Seattle Association is optimistic about the city’s hybrid future. A survey conducted at the end of 2021 found that 70 percent of the Emerald City’s downtown employers planned to embrace a hybrid model, with staff spending at least half their time working in person.
The survey’s response aligns with national sentiment. A Gallup poll found 60 percent of remote-capable employees in the U.S. want a long-term hybrid approach to work.
Many teams in Seattle have already developed a format that works for them, and that strategy doesn’t just encompass when and where current employees work. It also determines how new employees are onboarded.
Blue Nile has adjusted its onboarding experience for all its employees, no matter where they might be logging in from.
“Whether they are working in one of our showroom locations across the country, in our fulfillment center in Seattle or remotely from our corporate office, we have thought through each experience to ensure we reinforce their decision to join us,” HR Business Partner Tammy Khatibi told Build In Seattle.
Below, Khatibi outlines Blue Nile’s approach to hybrid onboarding and how the company makes remote employees feel welcome.
Blue Nile is an online diamonds, engagement rings and fine jewelry retailer. The company’s tech team boasts a learning culture to create the best possible solutions for measurement, data, security and automation.
What is Blue Nile’s approach to onboarding a new hybrid employee?
Blue Nile takes extraordinary pride in ensuring all new hires receive a positive, welcoming and seamless experience when joining. Our onboarding experience uses modern HR technology to simplify and streamline the process. Blue Nile also hosts a virtual new hire orientation. During that time, new team members are immersed in our culture, introduced to our history and connected to other new hires. It’s also when we share our strategic direction.
When onboarding a fully remote new hire, what steps do you take to make sure they feel included?
In addition to our first day of orientation, new hires are introduced to our virtual coffee connect program via Slack. Employees across the company join to meet in an informal and fun environment. We also host monthly lunch and learns for in-office and remote employees, during which employees get a chance to learn about different areas of the business while connecting and engaging with each other. Building a sense of connection and belonging is important to us, and it’s something we’re constantly seeking ways to improve.
What special items do you send in your welcome kit to new hybrid or remote employees to help them feel like a part of the company from day one?
One of our goals in creating a brilliant onboarding experience is to reinforce new hires’ decision to join us. Who doesn't love and appreciate a little swag, especially in your first week on the job? Our swag includes a Blue Nile thermal mug, a bounded Blue Nile journal and a welcome card from our CEO Sean Kell.
