New Employee Orientation Program Checklist

Don’t confuse orientation with employee onboarding. Onboarding is a continuous process that starts during the hiring process and finishes once the new hire has settled into their role.

Whereas, orientation is a part of the on-boarding process. It is the actions that a company takes a new hire’s first days in order to help them settle in:

• Complete tasks that are required by law
• Learn about important company policies
• Adjust to the new environment
• Meet their new team members
• Get prepared to begin their job duties and responsibilities

What should you include in the new employee orientation checklist?

A new hire orientation checklist makes it easier on you and your employees to have a great first day. Don’t get bogged down with tedious tasks or let anything slip through the cracks, follow the new hire orientation checklist to ensure a smooth process for both parties.

The new hire orientation checklist includes key forms like the I-9 and W-4. Plus, setting up the new hire’s work area, meeting his/her new team members, and getting situated with IT.

However, the new hire orientation checklist also ensures you don’t forget about the even bigger tasks, such as the people and company culture. This happens with introducing employees to the team, orientation, employee training, and providing a mentor.

New Employee Orientation Checklist Template

HR Department:

• Mandatory forms
  • I-9 form
  • W-4 form
  • Employee contract
  • Employee acknowledgement and consent form
  • Background check form
  • Direct deposit form
• Policy Overview
  • Non-disclosure agreement
  • Non-compete agreement
  • Confidentiality agreement
  • Employee handbook
• Procedural steps
  • Entering and leaving the building (a security pass or card)
  • Placing an order for stationery, IT department, etc.
  • Requesting time off (or sick leave)
• Company benefits
  • Health and life insurance
  • Mobile phone plan
  • Company car policy
  • Stock options guide
  • Performance bonus guide
  • Employee wellness program
• Employee uniform (if there is one)
  • Dress code policy

IT Department:

• Someone from IT needs to help the new hire(s) with their computer setup.
  • They should understand how to use the company tools and software needed for their role.
• Schedule an in-depth training session on IT security guidelines.
• Schedule a product demo if at all relevant.
• Explain how to use the office equipment, such as
  • Telephone (internal and external calls)
  • Printer
  • Fax
  • Kitchen appliances (like the coffee machine)
  • Video conferencing tools

One-on-One with the Manager:

• Discuss the everyday routine
  • Regular work times
  • Breaks
  • Lunch options
• Job duty and responsibilities
• Take them on an office tour
  • Show the meeting rooms and explain how to book them
  • Show where the building’s emergency exits are located
  • Show where they can find stationary
• If they need help, introduce them to the relevant employee(s)
  • Their direct manager
  • The HR team
  • The IT team
  • The office manager
• Schedule meetings with colleagues and team leaders from other departments for in an-depth breakdown of how they’ll work together
• Schedule an office gathering to welcome the new hire(s), try a group lunch or after-hours drinks
• Assign a mentor to help the new hire(s) with on-boarding and questions for the first six months

Related Templates:

Go through the New Hire Checklist with our free template

Download our free On-boarding checklist for a smooth training process