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 New Employee Hub.
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.
