A study of almost 3000 employees revealed that the first day at work can be a nightmare if things don’t go to plan.
Turning up late wearing the wrong attire and bumping a colleague’s vehicle in the car park are among the worst first impressions made by new employees according to the study.
Other first day mistakes employees said they made include arriving completely over-dressed, spilling tea everywhere, getting lost en route to the office and saying something inappropriate because they were nervous.
Almost all those employees surveyed (95%) stressed how important it is to them to make a good first impression on others when starting a new job, with more than three quarters (82%) believing they’re more likely to make a positive impact on their first day if they know they’ve got their clothing spot on.
The study was commissioned by 4imprint, as part of its ‘First Impressions’ campaign, having recently released a new range of corporate clothing to help UK organisations and their employees create a strong and lasting impression.
A spokesperson for 4imprint, said: “Starting a new job can be intimidating for a variety of reasons. From not knowing who you’ll be working with, not being 100% sure how to get to your new workplace and worries over what to wear can make for a nerve-wracking first day.
“Our study found the importance of what you wear to work can make you feel as comfortable as possible on a first day and help create a great first impression.”
According to the survey, workers admitted to having turned up on their first day either being wildly under or overdressed.
More than seven in 10 employees (72%) wish they had a uniform for work, claiming it would have made their first day – and consequently first impressions – easier to manage.
Other first-day nightmares to appear in the top 30 list include finding there was no allocated desk or computer to work at and being late due to nasty traffic.
Having a wardrobe malfunction and accidentally sending a sensitive email as a ‘staff all’ also feature in the list.
Meanwhile, one in three British workers have been introduced to someone on day one at work, then immediately forgotten their name.
One fifth have also been so nervous they’ve ended up blurting out something inappropriate or stupid – leading to quizzical looks from colleagues.
While others have accidently damaged company property, been over-friendly and had to ask how to turn the computer on.
However, those who excelled on their first day put it down to being fully prepared and sufficiently knowledgeable about the company.
And when it comes to making a good impression, 58% say arriving early works wonders while 57% cent try to ask intelligent questions.
The spokesperson for 4imprint, added: “A decision can be made about a person within 26 seconds of meeting them – which is why appearance is so important.
“Corporate work wear can provide reassurance to new starters and if your organisation operates in the service or retail sector then staff uniforms can also be vitally important for customers.”
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