Helping new staff settle in
Hiring is only half the work. The first three months decide whether a new colleague from India settles in and stays.
Before arrival
- Send a welcome pack: city guide, first-week schedule, contacts, what to bring
- Arrange temporary housing for the first four to eight weeks
- Assign a buddy from the team
- Prepare the workstation, accounts and introductions in advance
The first two weeks
- Help with address registration, bank account, phone and health insurance
- Explain the payslip: gross, net, deductions, holiday allowance
- Walk through workplace rules: hours, breaks, overtime, safety, sick leave
- Introduce the team in person, not only by email
Language
- Fund or arrange language classes, ideally during working hours at the start
- Encourage colleagues to speak slowly and plainly, and to switch to English when needed
- Recognise language progress
Team culture
Indian professionals often come from more hierarchical workplaces. Make clear that questions and disagreement are welcome, and explain how decisions are made. Regular one-to-one check-ins in the first months help surface problems early.
Families
If the family joins, help with school registration, the spouse's job search or recognition, and community contacts. Family wellbeing is the biggest factor in whether people stay.
Retention
- Be transparent about the route to permanent residence and how you support it
- Offer development and promotion paths
- Recognise festivals such as Diwali; small gestures matter
