First day

Preparation is key to ensuring that your first day goes as smoothly as possible. Here are some aspects to consider if you are office based.

• Clothing: Your new place of work may have a dress code in line with the job role and environment, which they may have informed you of in advance. If uncertain, you can ask beforehand. If you don’t know and are unable to clarify you could wear “smart casual” comfortable clothing in keeping with the types of activities you are likely to carry out. Some workplaces have uniforms, in which case they may ask you beforehand for your clothing size to ensure you have the attire to change into upon arrival. It might be an idea to take layers of clothing with you just in case you are cold or hot in the office, i.e., a cardigan, jumper, coat, etc. If you are worried about clothing getting wet or dirty, bring spares that you can change into to reduce how self-conscious or uncomfortable you may feel.

• Travel: If you are travelling by public transport, ensure you have the timetable available i.e., a hard copy or mobile app. Whilst you may head out to catch a specific bus or train, you may encounter last-minute changes or delays, so it would be good to know other times and methods of transport you could use. If using your own transport (i.e., car, bike, motorbike), you can plan your route and do a dummy run, so you are more familiar with the roads and timings. It is always advisable to leave earlier if you can just in case there are delays.

• Documentation: On your first day, it’s very likely that you will be asked for documentation that confirms your identity, address, and banking. So, you could take the following with you, but keep them secure and ensure you get them back:
  • Passport
  • UK Visa
  • P45
  • Driving Licence
  • Bill, such as electricity, gas, council tax, etc.

• Equipment: Most employers will ensure you have the equipment you need for your first day. However, you could take various items to ensure that you are prepared and comfortable throughout the day, such as:
  • Pen and notepad/notebook
  • Cash (for parking, refreshments, etc.)
  • Folder for documentation
  • Health-related items (any medication you need to take during the day or items that would make you more comfortable such as tissues, perfume, inhaler, mints, etc.)
  • Personal items (this could be an item that brings you a sense of comfort such as a photo of a loved one or a holiday snap you can place on your desk).

• Refreshments: Whilst you may be able to purchase food on site or at a local shop, it might be an idea to take a bottle of soft drink and a light snack (e.g., crisps, biscuits, etc.) just in case you aren’t able to leave the premises for any reason. Once you know where the canteen, kitchen, or nearby shop is located, you may not need to take food or drink again.

Preparation is key to ensuring that your first day goes as smoothly as possible. Here are some aspects to consider if you are home based.

• Environment: Decide where you will base your working day – you may have an office space at home but if you don’t, work out the quietest place, free from distractions and where you would be comfortable working in terms of furniture, lighting, etc. If you are unable to work at home or any reason, there are also public spaces where you can work such as libraries, coffee shops, etc. If you have video calls, you may want to blur your background if you are not comfortable sharing your surroundings for any reason, or you could switch off your camera where appropriate.

• Equipment: Speak with your employer before the first day to identify what equipment you might need at home, e.g., computer, printer, keyboard, phone, etc. Your employer might supply these for you in advance or you may be expected to have the necessary equipment in place. Flag up before your first day if you don’t have an essential item that you may need to carry out your role. You could test your equipment the day before to ensure it works, such as internet, mouse, keyboard, camera, headphones, etc.

• Clothing: Whilst you are working from home, you will probably be able to wear casual clothing, but it might be an idea to wear something a little more “smart casual” first and then you can judge from your first day how others are dressed.

• Home-based issues: Working from home has numerous benefits but there are aspects that may prove problematic, so you could consider the following examples: dependencies that may disrupt the day (i.e., children, pets, etc.), deliveries interrupting work, or internal and external noises such as phones ringing or building work outside. Once you have highlighted likely issues for you working at home, you can hopefully put in place measures to reduce the disruption, such as arranging childcare, rescheduling deliveries, muting phones, or moving office, etc.

It is normal to feel anxious or worried on your first day, so don’t beat yourself up for feeling that way. There are numerous ways to help you feel more relaxed and confident on your first day. Below are some suggestions:

• Carry out activities or bring objects that will help you feel more relaxed and confident. Think of all the ways that help reduce your anxiety; this might involve short breathing exercises, taking a walk at lunchtime, finding a supportive colleague to ask questions, calling a loved one on a break, taking a familiar object to work, etc.

• If you have carried out any research on the company in advance, such as looking at their website or various publications, you could always take some notes with you to illustrate that you have been preparing to join them by learning more about them. Additionally, you could refresh your memory about your job role from reading the description.

• Remember that you will forget things. There will be a lot to take in on your first day. You will be presented with numerous new faces and new information, and your brain will be unable to retain it all. Don’t feel too pressured to remember everything and don’t be embarrassed about having to ask the same question more than once or to be reminded.

• Keep hydrated and take breaks where possible. The first day can be really draining on your physical, emotional, and mental health for numerous reasons. You might be so engaged or distracted on your first day that you forget or neglect your own needs. So, remember to keep drinking, take breaks from your desk, get some fresh air if you can, and replenish your energy by eating healthy snacks.

Everyone’s first day will be different depending on your job role and many other factors. The following list includes some of the most common activities you may experience on your first day:

• Inductions: Some workplaces will schedule an induction timetable which they present you with upon arrival. This would typically last for one to three weeks and consist of time booked with individuals and teams that will support your working day. This could include one-to-one meetings with key individuals, and team meetings where you are introduced to a group or department. Time should also be allocated for essential training related to your post as well as general essential policies and processes around health and safety, first aid, safeguarding, etc. If an induction hasn’t been formerly planned, you could ask your line manager to recommend the people or teams you should meet who would be able to guide you through work tasks, as well as company policy and procedures.

• Introductions: You will no doubt be introduced to numerous people throughout your first day and indeed the first few weeks, such as your immediate manager and teammates as well as an HR representative or IT support. It can be quite intimidating, so don’t feel that you are expected to remember everyone’s names and roles. There is a lot of information to absorb on your first day and as everyone has been through the same, they should understand how you are feeling.

• Building tour: You will likely be shown around the building or office space, where you may be shown locations for the toilet, kitchen, staff room, canteen, meeting room, fire exits, etc. If you get time in your day, you may wish to do revisit those places which will help familiarise yourself and feel confident about your surroundings. If you want to know where a location is and have forgotten, you could ask a passerby, telling them you are new – they are sure to help you.

• Team meeting: Whilst you may be meeting many new people on an individual basis, you may also be asked to attend a meeting to meet a group of people. You may find this intimidating, so make sure you feel comfortable by either walking in with someone familiar, sitting near the door should you wish to leave, have a soft drink if your throat dries up, take a cardigan if you feel the cold, take a notepad and pen to keep occupied and write notes, etc.

You are likely to be introducing yourself a lot on your first day. It might help you to have a few sentences prepared about yourself to support a quick introduction such as your name, your new job title, your previous experience, and your hopes for the role.

You won’t be interviewed again on your first day but having those in mind will help you to feel confident as you meet and greet new people. Body language and gestures go a long way, so where appropriate, smiling, shaking hands, opening doors, and helping others will help reduce any discomfort you may feel and your colleagues may be warmer towards you because of this.

You are human and humans make mistakes – there isn’t a single person who hasn’t made a mistake at work. It is one of the main ways we learn and develop, so try not to be hard on yourself. The most important thing to do when you think you’ve made a mistake is to communicate with a trusted colleague or line manager. Clearly state what you think you might have mistakenly done and then provide some ideas about what you could do fix or correct the situation. By doing this you clearly demonstrate you are a responsible employee who can think of solutions.

If you are worried you might make a mistake, ensure you have all the facts and guidance to hand. You could ask someone to walk you through the activity by enacting it or watching someone else carry out the activity first. Ask all the questions you need to ask to proceed with more confidence. If you really feel you are not ready to do something on your first day, you could always ask if this could be postponed to later in the week.

Telling anyone within work about a condition or disability is a very personal choice. You are not legally obliged to disclose this information to your employer. However, there are instances where disclosure may ensure your safety and comfort. Within your induction period, you may be asked to complete forms where disclosure of a condition or disability is requested. For example, in assessing the suitability of your display screen equipment (DSE) you may want to share have a condition that necessitates different equipment the employer has provided.

For example, you may need additional lumbar support, wrist rests, ergonomic keyboards, etc. In this instance, the employer must make reasonable adjustments to ensure your daily tasks are not unnecessarily straining your body. Another example would be a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) which confirms reasonable adjustments and arrangements an employee can make in the event of an emergency.

It is important to acknowledge disability in the broadest sense, someone may have specific needs if they are a wheelchair user but also someone with epilepsy or a heart condition will also have specific measures in place to support them. In both the examples above, the importance of disclosing relates to personal health and safety so where possible provide details to ensure you are given the support you need. There are strict guidelines for how to record the information and it should not be shared without your consent.

When and to whom you inform anyone of your condition is entirely a personal choice. It is important you don’t feel pressured to tell anyone and when you do, let people know it must be on your terms and with someone you trust. You may want to start with how it affects you in a work context as opposed to revealing too much personal information. Whatever and however you divulge anything, only do so when you feel comfortable and when you want to.

To find out more information about disclosing a mental health condition at work these websites might be helpful:

• LawCare
• Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) 

It is always great to be prepared with some questions to ask throughout the day, some of which might be answered before you have to ask them. Perhaps focus on key questions which will help bring a sense of familiarity and calm in the first day.

Some example questions are below:

Location:

• Where are the toilets located?
• Where are the fire exits and assembly points?
• Where is the first aid kit?
• Where are office essentials kept, i.e., stationery?
• Where is the kitchen/tuck shop/canteen?
• Where is the prayer room?
• Where is the meeting room?
• Where is a department, e.g., post room, IT department, etc.

Useful contacts:

• Who is my immediate line manager?
• Which teams/departments will I be working closely with?
• Who do I call in HR to update my details or inform them of absence?
• Are there any networking groups I can join, i.e., WhatsApp group, social groups, etc.

Housekeeping:

• What start time and finish time are required throughout the week?
• Which desk can you use and is it a hot desk arrangement?
• Where can you leave your personal possessions? E.g. locker, drawer, etc.
• Where can you park? E.g., cycle rack, car park, etc.
• Where can you leave any food you wish to store?
• Where can you go for a break away from your desk?
• Where can you get a drink from and where to take cups back to?
• Where can you obtain equipment from, such as a computer, keyboard, footrest, paper, etc.

Icebreakers:

Aside from introducing yourself to colleagues, getting to know people on a more personal level helps build stronger relationships and team bonding. This in turn will help you feel more comfortable around others and can ultimately make your working life more enjoyable.

Here are some example icebreaker questions which will help break down barriers and understand each other further:

• How long have you worked here?
• Where did you work before?
• What is the most helpful thing I should know on my first day?
• What aspects of your role/working here do you enjoy the most?
• How do you travel to work?
• Do you have pets?
• What do you do outside of work?
• Are there any social activities that take place as a team?

Policy and protocols:

• How many breaks can I take and for how long?
• Are there any flexible work arrangements?
• Do you have core hours of work where everyone must be present?
• What compulsory training must you complete before your induction or probation ends?
• How often will you have supervision or one-to-ones with your manager?
• Are there any policies you must have read as part of your probation?
• Are there any meetings that you should be attending on a regular basis?
• If unable to come to work, who should you call and by what time?