The first days in a new workplace are always challenging!

Meeting new colleagues and getting to know the environment are experiences every worker goes through.

Indeed, staff integration is an essential moment, as it prepares newcomers for the roles they will take on and helps them adapt to the routine and expectations of the employer.

Successful onboarding not only supports the adaptation of new staff but also reduces turnover rates and contract non‑renewals.

For an effective welcome process, it is important to guide new employees on the organisation’s best practices, train them on the tools they will use, present all departmental rules and objectives, raise awareness of the organisational culture and its values, and introduce them to the team.

At Instituto Superior Técnico, we make a point of ensuring that the integration of our employees is both enjoyable and highly informative, so that new colleagues feel as welcomed as possible.

To achieve this, a set of initiatives is carried out to support the reception and adaptation of everyone joining our community:

• On the first Wednesday of every month, we welcome new Technical and Administrative staff in dedicated onboarding sessions, known as “Welcome Sessions”, designed to introduce our values, culture, and operations, while also providing an opportunity for initial interaction between colleagues and supervisors.

• In addition to these monthly sessions, a major event is held at the end of the year, in December, where all newly hired staff gather to celebrate their first year at IST — the “Welcome to Técnico” event.

Integration process for new Technical and Administrative staff at IST.

• Quarterly Welcome Sessions are also organised specifically for new Research Fellows.
• For new faculty members, a formal ceremony is held to celebrate the signing of new contracts, taking place every year.