How Onboarding Can Strengthen Workplace Culture
Turn everyday moments into lasting employee connection
- The Founder
Almost 30 years ago, I started a new job with two weeks of orientation alongside about 20 other people.
I learned the systems.
I learned the policies.
I learned the tools I’d use every day.
I still remember several people from that group. A few of those relationships became lasting connections. Those early connections matter—decades later, how I feel about that company is still shaped by the relationships I formed in those first days.
But here’s the key insight: those connections didn’t form during structured training or software sessions. They happened during breaks, in the moments between structured parts of the day.
This taught me an important lesson: onboarding isn’t just about procedures and information. Culture grows through everyday interactions between people.
Why Shared Spaces Matter
Shared spaces create natural opportunities for connection. The breakroom, in particular, is one of the few places where employees from different teams naturally intersect.
When onboarding extends into these everyday spaces—even in small ways—new hires start forming relationships beyond the orientation group. This is the heart of Intentional Breakroom Culture.
Onboarding isn’t just about training; it’s about helping new employees feel welcome in the spaces where workplace culture actually lives.
3 Ways to Extend Onboarding Beyond Orientation
1. Extend Onboarding Beyond Orientation
Orientation introduces new hires to the workplace, but belonging develops over the days and weeks that follow. Regular touchpoints, informal check-ins, and casual interactions help new employees feel seen and included.
2. Leverage Shared Spaces to Build Connection
Casual interactions over coffee, quick breaks, or in common areas help employees get to know each other across teams. These small moments shape the employee experience and influence how connected people feel to the culture.
3. Small Gestures Make a Big Impact
Even simple welcome moments—like a note or a small gift—signal that new employees matter. Many organizations include an Oasis Marketplace gift certificate in their onboarding toolkit.
The value isn’t in the gift itself—it’s in the message:
“You belong here.”
The Breakroom as a Culture Hub
When onboarding includes the spaces where employees actually gather, new hires experience culture, not just hear about it.
The breakroom is more than a coffee spot—it’s where connections form, culture is lived, and belonging grows.
Even small, intentional changes in how shared spaces are used can transform onboarding and create lasting employee connections.
This is Intentional Breakroom Culture.
Take the Next Step
Small, intentional shifts in onboarding can make your workplace more connected and inclusive. Explore how you can bring Intentional Breakroom Culture to your team:
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