Department Orientation
Providing a welcoming, collegial, and professional environment is necessary to ensure that an employee’s first few days are a success.
As a manager, you play a key role in developing your departmental orientation program. You need to prepare for the employee’s arrival and make sure he or she has the resources, work-related items, and necessary training to succeed in the new job. Remember, your overall success depends on how well new employees integrate into your department.
To ensure that you and your new employee complete all the required tasks, forms, procedures, and so on, you should print and complete a New Employee On-boarding Checklist.
The following department orientation recommendations will help you prepare for an employee’s first day.
Prior to Arrival
- Inform staff of the employee’s arrival
- Set up and clean the new employee’s office space
- Obtain office supplies
- Establish an office mailbox
- Establish a first day schedule
- Establish a training schedule
Day One
- Introduce the new employee to staff
- Accompany him or her on a tour of building/office/facilities, including lunchroom, emergency exits, and restrooms
- Discuss the location of the T stop or parking lot closest to the office
- Provide keys (e.g., office, building, desk, file cabinets)
- Provide security codes, if necessary
- Show him or her the location of fax machines, copiers, printers, etc. and provide instructions and any access information
- Review the dress code and office protocol
- Explain how to complete the timesheet
- Review the pay schedule
- Confirm the work schedule
- Meet with the new employee at the end of the day and discuss his or her first impressions
First Week
- Establish a training schedule
- Introduce the new employee to key staff members
- Review the job description
- Review performance standards