Building Inclusive Workplaces Through Better Onboarding for Migrant Women

Across Europe, many migrant women face significant barriers when entering the labour market, even when they already have valuable qualifications, professional experience, and strong motivation to work. Challenges such as language barriers, unfamiliar workplace cultures, limited professional networks, and a lack of tailored support can make the transition into employment difficult both for employees and employers.

Through the EmpowerHer project and our newly designed Onboarding Toolbox, employers, trainers, HR professionals, and community organisations are working together to create practical and inclusive pathways into employment for migrant women.

The EmpowerHer Onboarding Toolbox is a practical collection of tools, activities, and guidance materials designed to support employers and HR professionals in creating more inclusive onboarding experiences.

The toolbox has been developed to help organisations:

Improve communication and inclusion during recruitment and onboarding
Support migrant women in adapting to workplace environments
Strengthen employee wellbeing, confidence, and retention
Promote inclusive workplace cultures
Equip managers and HR teams with practical methods and resources

We need your input to finalise it and ensure it reflects real-life challenges!

Who Can Participate in the Pilot Phase?

Employers
HR professionals
Team leaders and managers
Organisations working with employment and integration
Companies employing or planning to employ migrant women

How?

We can arrange an online or in-person meeting (at COMCY or at the organisation’s premises) by June 2026 to identify relevant tools for you.

After you test out the tools in your organisation, we would appreciate your feedback through a form by July 2026.

Language?

Activities and tools can be used in either Greek or English, according to your preference.

Examples of Tools Included in the Toolbox

The EmpowerHer Onboarding Toolbox includes a variety of practical and easy-to-use activities. Some examples include:

Inclusive Workplace Welcome Checklist

A structured onboarding checklist that helps organisations prepare for the arrival of new employees by considering communication needs, cultural inclusion, practical orientation, and wellbeing support.

Mentor and Buddy Support Activities

The toolbox includes practical mentoring and peer-support approaches that help newly hired migrant women connect with colleagues, ask questions comfortably, and better understand workplace expectations and culture.

Networking Activities

The toolbox includes informal social connection activities such as hobby-based networking, and random coffee matches that encourage relationship-building, inclusion, and trust among colleagues in a relaxed and low-pressure environment.