Buddy System

The Role of the Buddy.
What
A buddy provides informal guidance to the new starter on the culture and social norms of the area or team.
Typical tasks assigned to a buddy might include: * showing the new starter around the building * explain how to gain entry/exit to the building * pointing out catering or other facilities * accompanying the new starter to lunch on their first day * introducing the new starter to people that they might not come into contact with as part of their role, but who they are likely to meet around the office.
A buddy should not tackle issues relating to the new starter’s appointment or formal arrangements within the area (for example performance expectations and standards, training, or the arrangements for personal appointments during working hours).
The buddy should be made aware that they should refer any serious pastoral or welfare issues relating to the new employee’s role to the line manager in the first instance.
If the buddy works in the same team as the new starter, it may be that they deliver some sessions of role-related training. If so, this should be clearly indicated as training in the new starter’s induction plan.
Who
A buddy is usually an experienced employee on the same or similar grade as the new starter, preferably in a similar type of role.
They should ideally be in the same team or department as the new starter, though in the case of small departments, this may not necessarily be the case.
When
A buddy should be assigned before the new employee’s start date, and should be briefed on their responsibilities and the boundaries of those responsibilities.
Although the role of the buddy mainly comes into play during the first few weeks of employment, it is a relationship that can exist throughout the new starter’s employment and should not be time limited.
It is important that the prospective buddy’s line-manager is approached prior to the confirmation of the role, and that the line-manager is happy for the