New Hire Checklist - Betterteam

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New Hire ChecklistCover all the necessary onboarding steps with our checklists below. By Toni Ross, Nov 29, 2023 Toni Ross is the Senior Editor of Betterteam. Her interests include developing resources that help build and grow value-oriented, connected teams, both personal and professional.

A new hire onboarding checklist helps hiring managers and HR staff ensure they are covering all of the necessary steps to prepare for onboarding a new employee and guiding them through the process of becoming part of a successful team.

The first few days after a new employee starts will set the tone for their time with your company and determine if your investment in them will pay off. This checklist will be helpful whether you're hiring your first employee or your 100th.

New Hire Checklist — PDF

Download our new hire checklist template in PDF format to help you get organized for your new employee's first day.

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Essential New Hire Checklist Steps:

1. Submit a job requisition form to HR.

Make the hire official with your HR department before proceeding any further.

2. Complete a background check.

This is essential for many positions to ensure the safety and security of clients and colleagues.

3. Review the schedule and job basics.

This is a chance to contact the employee and clarify the first week's schedule, provide a timesheet if necessary, and supply basic info, like parking rules and dress code.

4. Review job descriptions and duties.

Email the employee a copy of the job description, answer any questions, provide an overview of the functional area, and describe how the employee fits into the department. You can make this part of your new employee welcome letter.

5. Complete all new hire forms.

Doing this before their first day will save both of you time and let you focus on more important things when they come into the workplace.

6. Prepare team introductions.

Help integrate new employees into your organizational culture. Email their team to introduce the new hire, set up necessary meetings with key staff members, set up a workplace tour, and arrange social lunches or coffee dates.

7. Prepare their work environment.

This includes cleaning their new space, getting business cards, access badges, and IT equipment such as computers, phones, etc.

8. Prepare for new hire training.

Schedule any training and arrange for trainers, equipment, and space as necessary.

New Hire Checklists for Employers for the First Year:

Day One:

1. Conduct a general job orientation with a tour and introductions.
2. Review the first week's schedule and work hours.
3. Review professional ethics and the code of conduct.
4. Review all policies, such as safety and security policies.
5. Explain compensation and benefits.
6. Provide an employee handbook and answer any questions.
7. Review the position information.
8. Help set them up with computers or other equipment.

Week One:

1. Give the employee any initial assignments.
2. Touch base each day to ensure they are settling in.
3. Review employee performance evaulations and set goals.
4. Review the employee's probationary period.
5. Check that equipment assigned to the employee is functioning and answer related questions.
6. Ensure the employee has met with key colleagues.
7. Invite the employee to connect with any company social media accounts.

Month One:

1. Continue to provide regular feedback.
2. Ask for feedback from the employee.
3. Review past assignments.
4. Review upcoming assignments.
5. Ensure the employee is on schedule with training.
6. Check that employee payroll is running smoothly.
7. Schedule regular meetings to keep the employee engaged.

After Three Months:

1. Schedule an informal performance review.
2. Review past and future assignments.
3. Set performance goals.
4. Give and ask for feedback.
5. Check the employee's progress on their training.
6. Discuss the end of the probationary period.

After Six Months:

1. Conduct a six-month performance review.
2. Review the employee's goals and progress so far.
3. Set goals and objectives for the next 6 months.
4. Check that the employee has received all the necessary training.

After One Year:

1. Conduct a yearly performance review.
2. Recognize their first year at the company.
3. Discuss goals, projects, and plans for the upcoming year.
4. Answer any questions and give/receive feedback.
5. Discuss compensation and raise policies.

New Hire Checklist — Microsoft Word Format

Use our free new hire checklist in Word format to guide your team through the onboarding process.

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FAQs:

What kind of information should my new hire checklist contain?

• A review of company policies.
• An introduction to their team and key colleagues.
• A tour of the office and workspace.
• A review of general position information.
• Assistance getting and setting up equipment, including computers.
• A review of their upcoming schedule.
• Ensuring that all necessary forms are filled out.
• A review of work hours.

Should my small business use a new employee checklist?

Yes! Sometimes small business owners don't feel like they need something like this because they hire infrequently, but having a new employee checklist is key because you'll remember the exact process each time, be able to improve on it, and be able to hand it off to someone else as the company grows.

Is it a good idea to store my new employee checklist template in the cloud?

Yes! If you use something like Dropbox or Google Drive to store it you can access it anywhere, anytime, and share it with others who have the responsibility of taking care of the new hire onboarding and seeing how they're progressing.

Are there any legal considerations with a checklist for hiring employees?

Perhaps not directly, but your employee onboarding template can help you be sure to cover all your legal bases by indicating forms that need to be filled out, safety training that needs to be completed, and other necessary processes. In general, a hiring checklist template should help you avoid legal issues.

What should my employee onboarding process look like?

• Submit a job requisition form.
• Complete a background check.
• Review the schedule and job basics.
• Review job descriptions and duties.
• Complete all new hire forms.
• Prepare team introductions.
• Prepare the work environment.
• Prepare for new hire training.

What else do I need to know about new hire onboarding?

You can learn more about bringing on new employees by reading our employee onboarding process guide.

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