A buddy without a checklist is just a friendly face. Programs work when expectations are short, pairing is intentional, and feedback closes the loop.
#Design the two-week lane
Days 1–3: tools and norms. Days 4–10: shadow core workflows. Days 11–14: first solo deliverable with buddy review.
#Measure lightly
One survey question at day 30: "Did your buddy help you become productive faster?" Trend by department; fix pairing rules, not individuals in public.
#Related guides
Sources
- Society for Human Resource Management. Onboarding
- Gallup. Employee Onboarding
This article is operational education only—not legal advice. Work with qualified counsel for compliance, compensation, and termination decisions in your jurisdiction.