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Rethinking the First Day: Why a Friday Start Makes Sense
The first day at a new job is a critical experience, yet starting on a Monday can be unnecessarily stressful. With teams catching up from the weekend, the atmosphere is often chaotic. One tech company, Spredfast, implemented a simple but effective change: all new hires start on a Friday.
Sam Baber, the company's vice president of talent and development, introduced this concept, and it has yielded several positive results as the company grew from 100 to over 500 employees.
Key Benefits of a Friday Onboarding
Starting the work week with a new team member can be challenging for both the new hire and the existing staff. Shifting the start date to Friday addresses many of these issues.
The Existing Team Is Less Stressed
Fridays typically have a more relaxed atmosphere than Mondays. According to Baber, managers have more patience, and there is less "running around." This calmer environment allows the new hire to have a better initial experience with their colleagues and managers while they get acclimated and complete paperwork.
New Hires Arrive Refreshed
Employees starting on a Monday often end their previous job the prior Friday, leaving only a weekend to transition. A Friday start date encourages new hires to take a few days off between roles. "We want to try to force their hand to take a break between jobs," Baber states. This ensures they arrive fresh rather than fatigued.
They Leave More Motivated
The goal is for new employees to leave their first day more excited than when they accepted the offer. When asked about their new job over the weekend, they are able to speak about the company and its mission with fresh enthusiasm. This initial excitement is also beneficial for companies with employee referral incentive programs.
The Process Builds Cross-Functional Relationships
Spredfast onboards all new hires—from entry-level to C-suite—in a group orientation on Fridays. Because these groups are made up of people from various departments, the relaxed setting helps break down organizational silos. "People get to know the people and not just the roles," Baber explains, fostering a sense of community from the start.
A Reflection of Company Culture
For a relationship-driven company, this approach to onboarding aligns directly with its core values. It is a practical step toward fostering community and collaboration, which are essential for long-term success and employee retention.
Baber emphasizes the importance of the initial employee experience. "You’ve got to get day one and the first 90 days right from a culture perspective in order to see a higher level of employee engagement," he says. Changing the start date is a simple, common-sense adjustment that can have a significant impact on an employee's entire journey with the company. '''