From the perspective of the Executive Board, a successful ‘settling in’ at TU Darmstadt and in the new position is crucial for all new employees. All of us – both executives and all other colleagues – have a decisive role to play in shaping the onboarding process.

The Executive Board of TU Darmstadt places great importance on fostering a culture of mutual respect, collegiality, and dialogue within our organisation. By adopting a welcoming attitude, we all play a part in bringing this culture to life and making it tangible. Welcome new employees and colleagues with open arms. Show them appreciation and support them proactively as they face challenges.

Onboarding pays off

  • Facilitates orientation

    A clearly structured onboarding process minimises uncertainty and anxiety among new employees, as they receive a good understanding of the organisation at an early stage.

  • Accelerates integration

    Good onboarding ensures active integration into the team and the organisation. It also strengthens the new employees’ sense of belonging.

  • Inspires motivation & commitment

    Onboarding shows new employees that they are valued, which increases their motivation and commitment.

  • Strengthens loyalty

    A positive onboarding experience strengthens employee loyalty; thus, reducing the likelihood of new employees leaving prematurely.

  • Increases employer attractiveness

    Professional onboarding can strengthen the organisation’s reputation as an attractive employer.

  • Increases productivity

    New employees become productive more quickly through onboarding, as they are made familiar with their duties, the way the organisational unit is organised, and with the processes it follows at an early stage.

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It is therefore worthwhile for everyone involved to ensure a systematic onboarding process and to keep an eye on the ‘settling in’ process. As an executive , you do not always have to take the lead yourself – you can entrust the onboarding process to a colleague. If you take the following easy-to-implement points to heart, you will have made it easier for your new employees to get started. For more detailed information, please refer to the checklist (opens in new tab) .

Assume responsibility for the onboarding process

Create an induction plan

Appoint a permanent contact person

Warmly welcome

Give a tour of the organisational unit

Introduce the new colleague to the team

Provide information and guidance

Clarify mutual expectations

Have regular one-to-one meetings

Best practice examples from the university

“In addition to an ‘onboarding guide’ for newly appointed professors, which primarily serves to provide orientation, it is important to us to warmly welcome our new professors to the department. We present them on our homepage and in all departmental bodies. Experienced colleagues are also happy to help with any difficulties encountered in the early stages. This takes place either in ‘mentoring relationships’ or in direct collegial cooperation.”

“It is important to us that our new colleagues receive a warm and structured welcome to the directorate. We have agreed the following steps: The new colleagues are welcomed and introduced by the directorate heads at the regular meeting of the entire directorate. Beforehand, they are welcomed by the respective unit head and take a tour through the entire directorate which includes an initial round of introductions.”

“We have systematised onboarding for our newly appointed professors significantly. The personalised approach by our departmental advisor is particularly effective. She makes contact with the new appointees at an early stage, refers them to our digital knowledge base and coordinates the buddy programme. Each new appointee is assigned to an experienced colleague.

Another important component is the invitation from the Departmental Chairperson to join the Professorium and to attend a joint lunch celebrating the new professors’ appointments. This provides an informal setting for exchange, networking, and a first personal introduction to the professorial body.

This structured onboarding process has become a well-established means of ensuring a successful start, helping new professors to quickly understand their roles and integrate into the department.”

More information needed to get settled in?

Checklist for onboarding new employees (pdf)

Information for new employees (pdf)

Starting at TU Darmstadt

Welcome event

Welcome day for newly appointed professors