ABSTRACT
Companion programmes are a great way to facilitate the new employee's integration into the workplace. Basically, such programmes pair new employees with employees who have been with the organization for a while and are willing to act as a 'go to' person for the new employee's general questions and concerns. Companion programmes differ significantly from mentoring and coaching programmes. Companion programmes can range from being very informal and short term, to very structured and longer lasting. Games and structured activities can be a great help to companion programmes. The coordinator of the companion programme should prepare, and have on hand, a number of games and activities that can be used with companions. If there is in-service training for people who are going to serve as companions, a portion of the training could be devoted to the use of games and structured activities. Games and activities can serve as fun stimuli to begin companion discussions.
