Buddy Program & Training

Buddy contacts new employee to ensure they are prepared to start, to provide contact information, and a warm welcome.

As a Buddy, if you do not have the new employee’s contact information, follow up with the department manager so you can make contact by phone and/or by email. The manager can confirm this information detailed on the new employee’s resume.

Meet the new employee on the first day (if possible)

It is wonderful to meet the new employee on their first day either onsite or virtually. This helps to continue to express a warm welcome and ensures that you are in contact to help with any initial basic questions.

Provide team and work environment introductions

If you are in the same organization or group as the Buddy, provide an overview of your team. Depending on if the new employee will be working onsite or virtually, you may provide additional insights about the work environment and any common do’s and don’ts (view the Telecommuting and Virtual Work FAQs). If you are outside of the organization, you may direct the new employee to Sandia’s organizational structure to learn more about their department.

Discuss meeting schedule and weekly engagement plan

It is great to set up consistent meetings with your new employee during their first three months of onboarding to check-in and see how they are doing. Plan for a weekly time to either meet in person or virtually, or as schedules allow. This will help to ensure a time to engage is on calendars.

Provide Inside Overview and view Division/Center Website(s)

As a Buddy, it is helpful to provide an overview of Sandia’s internal intranet, Inside. As a new employee to Sandia, it may be difficult to visualize the organizational structure, take some time to explain the Divisions/Centers. Some of the additional features you may want to review are below:

1. Tools & Topics
2. Web Teasers
3. Training TEDS To Do List
4. My Links
5. My Support Team
6. My Vacation (as applicable)
7. My Property
8. Laboratory Policy System
9. Sandia Directory
10. Search Sandia
11. News Center

Talk about local area, culture, and social environment

If your new employee is new to the area, discuss local things to do, provide recommendations on some of your favorite places to eat, and local attractions. You can also recommend ways to socialize with your team outside of work.

Relay tips, guidance, and insights about your Sandia experience and any unwritten rules

Buddies are encouraged to share information you have about Sandia and any unwritten rules about the work environment. All divisions have a unique work culture and work together differently. Share any tips or advice on how to engage with others and also how to best connect with Sandia leadership. What have you learned in your experience working at Sandia and what would be helpful for a new Sandian to know?

Explore the Laboratories Policy System (LPS) and Sandia Dictionary

Provide an introduction to the LPS and structure detailing how to search for information. At Sandia we tend to talk in acronyms, and for a new Sandian it can be a challenge learn acronyms right away. The Sandia Dictionary is a great resource to look up frequently used acronyms in the workplace. If you and the new employee work in the same department, consider providing a list of frequently used acronyms specific to your work environment.

Provide overview of Sandia culture, networking opportunities, and how attend a new employee event; Labs-Level Event & New Employee Information Fair

Encourage the new employee to explore the Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Workplace Improvement Networks (WINs). These groups play an important role in Sandia’s culture and support the Laboratories mission by promoting an inviting, respectful, and belonging environment that encourages the growth, development, and full contributions of all members of the workforce.

The NEO/Onboarding team hosts a New Employee Information Fair bi-monthly with different presenters (including ERGs and committees), to present information beyond New Employee Orientation. More information is available in the Sandia Daily News (SDN). See the HR Events Calendar for upcoming dates.

Explore SERP, LLESA, or other site resources (i.e. Medical, gym, SLFCU, Campus Services at tours.sandia.gov)

SERP and LLESA (CA) connects you with community and recreational activities, promotions, and discounts. Encourage the new employee to take the online tours, to learn more about the work done at Sandia.

It’s recommended to provide new employees with information about our Medical Clinics and Onsite Fitness and Wellness, per site location. Many fitness classes are also available virtually.

Sharing information about the Sunward Federal Credit Union can help introduce new employees to local banking options.

Learn more about or visit a Sandia Energy Hub

Energy Hubs are purpose-built, research-based spaces for individuals to recover energy, restore posture and improve focus. If you have an opportunity, visit one of Sandia’s Energy Hubs.

Meet at an onsite cafeteria, market or a virtual lunch

If able, meet in person for a lunch! This is the perfect time to get to know each other more and will allow time for new employee to ask you questions. If virtual is best, you may use one of your scheduled meetings or add a virtual lunch to your calendars. Sharing video is a great opportunity to feel connected from afar.

Visit or learn about the Technical Library

Sandia’s Technical Library is an opportunity to research databases, journals, and popular resources. There is also information on standards and specifications. Visit the Library FAQs to learn more and share this information with the new employee.

Attend a tour or speaker series

You can find out when tours or events are available by viewing the HR Events Calendar, visiting your division websites, and/or by reviewing the Sandia Daily News. Identifying a virtual tour is also an option to ensure virtual workers have an opportunity to see a lot of the amazing work Sandia does.

Share information about Sandia’s Speaker Series to learn more and hear from some great topics.

Explore Community Involvement and talk about Sandia Gives participation

Getting involved in Community Involvement is a great way to give back to the local community. Sandians serve our community in many ways. ​Sandia National Laboratories is proud of our generous employees, our strong tradition of giving, and our legacy as the largest contributor to the United Way of Central NM. Provide information on how to Donate Now and participate in Sandia Gives.

More information on how to get involved is also provided in the Sandia Daily News (SDN).

Discuss Government Contractor vs. industry differences

Working for a government contractor can be very different than working in industry. Share information about what it means to be a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). Learn more and introduce the new employee to Sandia Field Office (SFO) resources and how Sandia’s prime contract operates. Learn more about Prime Contract and the organization that enables management and staff to effectively achieve our mission by optimizing business operations, enhancing productivity, and improving ability to manage cost and risks.

Sandia Leadership Introduction

Review Sandia’s organizational structure and provide a brief overview of the divisions and leadership.

Introduce Sandia Mentoring

Sandia’s Mentoring program and Mentor Search Tool helps link employees and mentors in a mutually beneficial growth experience through professional development opportunities. Encourage new employees to seek a Mentor after the Buddy relationship has concluded.

There are occupation segmented resources available to specific job roles and individuals transitioning from contractor status to regular employment. These resources will ensure a streamlined approach to onboarding. New employees that are managers, Office Administrative Professionals, and contractor transitions are encouraged to review occupation resources on the New Employee Hub site.

Buddies may receive questions about corporate training and what training is required. You may share information about required training and also refer to the training coordinator, which is typically the administrative professional in the new employee’s organization. If you and the new employee are in the same organization or work environment, it is helpful to share what trainings may be required in addition to any corporate required training.

TEDs Everyone is our corporate learning management system. This is where the employee may enroll in required and elective learning. As a Buddy, it’s beneficial to share information about the Learning Portal and where to get more information on courses offered at Sandia.

If your new hire is working onsite, consider providing them with a tour of Sandia sites, including the Sandia Medical Clinic, Gym, Hardin Field etc.

If working virtually, guide your new employee through a virtual tour. There is a campus services tour available which will help the new employee if and when they transition onsite. If the new employee is at a remote site location, you may reference the site specific information we have on the New Employee Hub.

New employees may have questions about how to get connected to the Sandia network and who to contact if they need help. You may guide employees to review information on our HR Solutions site detailing how to Get Started on Your First Day. This site will detail how to get connected and provide helpful resources.

If the new employee will be coming onsite in NM, you may refer over to the Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) information on the Security Connection site, if the employee will be accessing Kirtland Air Force Base.

Buddies are also encouraged to share Traffic and Parking Safety and provide an overview of Sandia Maps to get around the Sandia site. Learn more about Commuting to and From Sandia.