When employees are new to an organization, it should be the organization’s goal to make the employee’s transition into their new home a smooth and easy one. There are many new things to learn, many people to get to know and lots of new information that needs to be absorbed in a very short period of time.
Investing a short amount of time with orientation when the employee is new typically means there will be fewer issues and questions later on. A goal for any organization should be to try to think of all the things a new employee needs to know and share that information with the employee within the first couple of days on the job. Some things that may seem insignificant to us can be very significant for someone else. Developing a new employee orientation checklist can be the first step toward providing a smooth transition for new employees.
Obviously every organization is different, has different work environments and different ways of doing things. This is a sample of some things I’ve shared on a new employee orientation checklist. Use this as a starting point to begin thinking of things that are unique to your environment and adapt it accordingly. This is merely a list and can be created into a document that is used as part of the employee record.
Sample New Employee Orientation Checklist
Employee Name: _____________________
Hire Date: ___________________________
Department: _________________________
Employee ID #: _______________________
This checklist should be completed and signed within 7 days of the employee start date and maintained in the employee file.
Office Tour – location and information on the following
- lunchroom/kitchen
- restrooms
- supply storage
- copy room
- mailbox
- conference room
- office forms location
- fitness room
- machines (postage/fax)
- office key
- office calendar
- telephone system/extension
- fax number
- office hours
- courier service used
- alarm system/code
- computer passwords
- office hours
- business cards
- organization chart
- assign mentor
- meet coworkers
Expectations for:
- voice mail
- confidentiality
- staff meetings
- meal/break times
- recording hours worked
- call-ins (who to call)
- job abandonment (explain)
- injury reports
- competency assessment
- continuing education
- dress code
Benefit Information:
- insurance
- retirement
- overtime policy
- vacation/sick leave
Expectations for Customer Service
- employee satisfaction survey (Explain purpose and employee participation.)
- customer satisfaction survey
- Discuss expectations for teamwork and service to both internal and external customers.
- Identify key customers
- Explain definition of exceeding customer expectations
- Explain expectation for dealing with difficult customers
Performance Management
- job description
- annual goals
- performance appraisal process
- teamwork expectations
I received new employee orientation and understand each of the above policies and procedures. I understand the importance of following these procedures in order to participate as a successful member of my department and ABC Business.
Employee Signature: _______________________________
Date: __________
Immediate Supervisor Signature: _____________________
Date: __________
Copy: Employee, Employee File, Department File
Finally, a new employee orientation checklist is a work in progress. Start with the basics and add items as new employees are added and new information is identified that needs to be communicated. Remember this is a communication tool both for the employer as well as the employee. Upfront communication always reduces issues later.
photo by: aflcio
