New employee checklist
Ways to ensure that your new starter's first day in the job is successful
The demands of dealing with your own role can make it tricky to spend time inducting a new employee into your organisation. For both temporary and permanent hires, it is key that a new starter has the tools necessary to contribute to, and feel part of the team from day one. Most of the preparation for your new employee can be completed before their arrival day, making him/her feel welcome and equipped to start their career with you in the best way possible.
Michael Page has created a simple checklist of information to prepare and present to your new employee on their first day in the office. Often, working practices you take for granted can be confusing to someone new to the organisation so it's best to provide as much information as possible.
Computer & technical
- Ensure that the computer (desktop or laptop) that your new team member will be using has been set up with access to the files and programmes they require, and that an email address and signature have been created for them
- Hook their computer up to the right printer and make sure you point out its location when they arrive in the office
- Confirm who they should contact for IT and technical support, with the relevant telephone number and email address
Paperwork & admin
- If you have an acceptable use policy for internet, email and work phones ensure that your new starter has a copy waiting in their inbox
- If they are eligible to claim expenses, email a copy of the claim form and explain the process and average length of time of repayment
- Confirm the number of days of holiday they are entitled to, and explain the process of applying for leave and where and how it is recorded
- Arrange for a building / access / parking pass to be waiting for them
- Email copies of the personnel forms to be completed, with the right point of contact to return to in the HR department specified
Communication
- Set your new employee up with a phone - desk, mobile or both
- Provide them with a list of extension numbers
- Email your new starter an organisation chart for the team they will be joining with a brief explanation of what everyone does, and where they sit for easy reference
- Prepare a document detailing where important internal resources are located - whether this is on the intranet, a shared drive or stored in hard copy
- Arrange for a team member to act as a mentor during the first few weeks
Task setting
- Email your new starter a copy of their job description for reference
- Prepare a plan for the first week, which includes interesting tasks on the first day that are not overwhelming but are a true reflection of the nature of the role going forward
On the day
- Ask your new starter to arrive an hour or so after the usual starting time, it will enable everyone to complete urgent tasks so they have the time to give their new team member a warm welcome
- Introduce your new starter to their immediate team and key points of interaction
- Point out where the kitchen and bathroom are located
- Show him/her where the stationery is kept, and explain the process for ordering new supplies
- Explain the internal post system, and where they can pick up any mail from
- Arrange for a couple of the team to have lunch with the new starter and point out the lunch spots in the area
If you prepare in advance of your new starter's arrival, you have a better chance of a smooth start and a committed, positive team member. Michael Page can assist with additional advice on making sure your new employee's start is a happy, productive one so please get in touch for more recommendations.
