New Hire Checklist: Value of a Checklist in Onboarding Process

A new hire checklist is an itemized record of onboarding steps the hiring manager uses to transition new employees into a company. Large and small businesses across industries use new employee onboarding checklists to prepare for their recent hire’s first day of work. New hire checklists include general paperwork requirements along with meet and greet events.

A new hire checklist is crucial because it helps prepare the hiring manager and ensures a smooth onboarding process for new employees. Onboarding new hires involves many steps; a checklist helps the hiring manager keep track of all the essential actions as they prepare their employee for their new role. The checklist also creates a positive onboarding experience during your new employee’s first weeks by helping to ensure processes run smoothly and that they feel welcomed.

Effective onboarding improves employee engagement and retention. While new hire onboarding checklists vary based on the company’s individual hiring process, all checklists should cover essential paperwork and employee training events. Include these elements in your onboarding template:

1. 1. Contracts: One of the first steps on your list should be checking in to ensure the HR team provided the new hire with their contract. This file explains key details about the job offer, such as the start date, compensation, benefits package, and job description. In addition, check to make sure human resources completed any required reference or background checks.
2. 2. Enrollment and welcome events: During the new hire’s first week, they should attend any mandatory sessions to review the employee handbook and learn more about benefits in addition to events or meetings where they can meet the team. New hire orientation includes office tours, meet and greets, and team-building icebreakers. These gatherings allow employees to meet their coworkers and get a first impression of the company culture.
3. 3. Hello email: On your employee’s first day, send a short welcome email to introduce them to the team and encourage other team members to say hello.
4. 4. Legal forms and other paperwork: When an employee starts a new position, the hiring department must collect all the necessary legal forms. Common new hire paperwork includes nondisclosure agreements, emergency contact information (including phone numbers and emails), and tax forms. The hiring department may also have new hires complete direct deposit agreements so the employee can get paid electronically.
5. 5. Technology assistance: The IT department also helps with the onboarding program by setting up the necessary office supplies for the new hire. After IT has finished creating email accounts, downloading computer software, and explaining security protocols, check in with the new employee to ensure their workspace is operating effectively.
6. 6. Training programs: During an employee’s first month, training programs are more frequent. These sessions cover company policies from the employee handbook, so new hires have a strong sense of the daily work environment and dress code. Some jobs may also include technical training every few months in the first year to ensure new hires meet performance milestones. The new hire checklist outlines all the required training programs, so the hiring manager can remind employees when they have an upcoming training session.

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