Buddy Program – Hiring Manager
What you need to know
Congratulations on your recent employee. A key part of onboarding is selecting a Buddy to support new hires during their first three months at Sandia. Choose a strong performer who embodies Sandia values and can help the new employee navigate their transition.
Watch a short video that explains the Buddy Program and it’s benefits for new employees.
Information provided to the new employee about the Buddy Program is also available on the Buddy Program – New Employee Webpage.
What is a Buddy?
A Buddy is a respected Sandian who partners with a new employee during their first three months. They provide a single point-of-contact for questions, insights about unwritten rules, and connections with colleagues. The Buddy will help the new employee integrate into Sandia’s culture and work environment.
A Buddy is not a manager or mentor. Their role is to support onboarding, not to provide performance feedback or career coaching.
- Supports the onboarding journey during the first three months of employment
- Point-of-contact for basic questions
- Provide insights about unwritten rules
- Make connections with new colleagues and friends
- Knowledge transfer
- Integrates the employee into the culture, social, and professional work environment
- Supports the personal an professional development of an employee during an ongoing period of time
- Provides constructive feedback to the employee about strengths and development opportunities
- Helps establish professional goals in alignment with a career plan
- Coaches the employee on effective problem-solving techniques and leadership skills
*Visit the Mentoring site to learn more.
- Responsible for job performance and related inquiries
- Addresses the questions regarding Sandia policy and guidelines
- Resolution of relevant issues
- Much more
Selecting a Buddy for your new employee
Start the selection process three weeks before the new employee’s start date. Consider the following:
- The individual should be interested and excited about being a Buddy.
- They should exemplify Sandia’s values and have the time to commit.
- Look for qualities such as being a role model, effective communicator, motivated, strong performer, and well-connected.
Importance of a Buddy
A Buddy enhances employee engagement, helps navigate unwritten rules, fosters connections, and accelerates productivity. Their involvement is crucial for a successful onboarding experience.
Buddy Timeline
Below is a proposed timeline of activities over the next 3 months to help the Buddy navigate their relationship with your new employee.
- Notification sent to manager to confirm Buddy
- Manager confirms Buddy assignment
- Buddy Receives Notification
Contact the new employee to provide a warm welcome and confirm their readiness to start. If you lack contact information, consult the department manager.
- Meet the new employee on their first day to answer initial questions
- Introduce them to your team and provide insights about the work environment
- Establish a meeting schedule for regular check-ins
- Provide an overview of Sandia’s internal resources, including the organizational structure and useful tools
- Discuss local attractions and social activities
- Share tips and insights about Sandia’s culture and unwritten rules
- Introduce the Laboratories Policy System (LPS) and the Sandia Dictionary for navigating acronyms
- Encourage participation in Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
- Share information about community resources like SERP and LLESA
- Visit a Sandia Energy Hub to promote well-being
- Schedule a lunch to foster connection
- Introduce the Technical Library for research resources
- Attend tours or speak series to engage with Sandia’s work
- Discuss Community Involvement and participation in Sandia Gives
- Explain the differences between government contracting and industry roles
- Review Sandia’s organizational structure and introduce the Mentoring program for future development
How to successfully use the Buddy system
Use the Buddy Tool to select a Buddy about three weeks before the new employee starts. Provide a welcome message and ensure the Buddy is prepared with resources. You can update the Buddy assignment up to two weeks after the start date.
- The Buddy Tool will prompt you to select a Buddy (about 3 weeks prior to the start date).
- Provide a welcome message and necessary report to work instructions as indicated; the NEO-Onboarding team delivers this information to the employee on their first day as they check-in.
- The selected Buddy will be notified and directed to the resources to prepare.
- You will receive reminders to select a Buddy if not entered in the Buddy Tool
- You may update the selected Buddy up to two weeks after the employee’s start date
If you have questions about the Buddy Tool or program, contact the NEO-Onboarding team.
