New Hire – Orientation Checklist
When done right, new employee orientation lays the groundwork for a smooth onboarding. This checklist will help you get your new employees off to the races without a hitch.
Remember onboarding is continuous, so make sure to follow up with employees frequently to ensure they have everything they need to successfully work in your organization.
Orientation refers to the actions a company takes during a new hire’s first days to help them:
- Complete tasks required by law
- Learn about key company policies
- Prepare themselves to take on their job duties
- Adjust to their new work environment
Use the following new employee orientation checklist to keep on schedule with your new hires:
Administrative support
New hire’s need to fill out:
- I-9 form
- W-4 form
- Employee acknowledgment and consent form
- Background check form
- Direct deposit form
Go over procedures:
- Building entry, security, and parking
- Ordering supplies
- Time off requests, sick days, non-operational days
Take staff photos, print badges, and go over any other ID needs
Hand out uniforms or go over the dress code
Company policies overview
Explain employment agreement terms and make sure new hires sign forms, such as:
- Non-disclosure agreement
- Non-compete agreement
- Confidentiality agreement
- Employee invention agreement
Provide resources on perks and benefits, like:
- Health and life insurance
- Mobile plan reimbursement
- Company car policy
- Stock options guide
- Training program guide
- Performance bonus guide
- Employee wellness program
Go over key policies:
- Vacation/ paid time off
- Work from home
- Sick leave
- Safety guidelines
- Absences
- Data security
Run through daily schedule:
- Regular work times
- Breaks
- Lunch options
Hand out Employee handbook and other guides
Office tours and introductions
Give the grand tour for departs, and other important areas like:
- Bathroom
- Kitchen
- Dining area
- Balcony
Introduce helpful staff, like:
- Their direct manager
- Your HR team
- Your IT team
- Your office manager
Introduce new hires to all teams
Schedule meetings with colleagues and team leaders from other departments
Tour meeting rooms and explain booking policies
Go over emergency exits
Schedule a teamwide meetup in less formal settings (e.g. a group lunch or after-hours drinks)
Assign a work buddy or mentor to assist with onboarding tasks and answer questions
Workstation setup
Explain how to use office equipment
Provide an overview of the main corporate online channels, including:
- Intranet
- Messaging application
- Company website
- Shared drives
- Data security software
Have IT team assist with the computer setup. Make sure new hires understand how to use all company tools and software needed for their role
Schedule a detailed training on IT security guidelines
Schedule a product demo if relevant
Provide stationary and show where office supplies are stored
Share