Being a buddy
What is a buddy?
A buddy is a colleague who engages closely with the new employee, in order to give him/her the best possible start. The buddy is typically responsible for welcoming the new employee on his/her first day at work, eating lunch together, answering questions about the informal rules and norms, and introducing colleagues, etc.
Usually, the buddy will support the new employee during the first one-three months. A buddy is not a mentor., It is therefore important that the person who is professionally responsible is not assigned to be the new employee’s buddy as well.
When finding a buddy, it is important to find an employee who:
- is motivated for the role
- is empathic and can put themselves in the place of the new employee
- has good communication skills
It is important to allocate the necessary resources to create a good relationship, and the role should be characterised by a high degree of voluntariness.
Concerning international employees
Consider whether the new international employee should have both a Danish and an international buddy. There may be a need for both. The Danish buddy can help to introduce the Danish culture, values and norms, and help to create relations across cultures. The international buddy can share “insider knowledge” and provide an introduction to Danish culture from an international angle, to make life easier for the new international employee.
