Employee Onboarding

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Supervisor with new employee in a break room

Starting a new job can be a daunting experience for new employees. How they are welcomed and supported during this transition can significantly influence their overall job satisfaction and performance. 

The resources on this page can assist supervisors in establishing clear goals, setting aside time for onboarding preparation, providing the right information and considering all aspects of a new employee's onboarding experience.

Onboarding Goals

A man in a business suit holding a university of arizona branded portfolio

Onboard to the University

  • Create a positive impression of the university and work environment.
  • Introduce benefits and support services.
  • Cultivate a sense of belonging and connection to others.
a new colleague being introduced to the department

Onboard to the Department

  • Introduce departmental goals, policies, and procedures.
  • Help new employees build relationships with colleagues.
  • Address new employees' anxieties.
a female employee beginning paperwork for her new job

Onboard to the Role

  • Communicate the supervisor's expectations.
  • Provide necessary job information and resources.
  • Foster a partnership between the employee and relevant departments.

Onboarding Toolkit

Onboarding new employees takes time and preparation beyond your normal day-to-day tasks. This toolkit reduces that extra work by providing turnkey and customizable templates and suggested timelines to efficiently - and successfully - onboard new employees, ensuring they feel welcomed, supported, and ready for their new roles.

What's in the Toolkit

  • Onboarding Timeline for Supervisors
  • Onboarding Schedule Builder Template (Word or Excel)
  • New Hire Checklist Template
  • Welcome Packet Template
  • First-Day Instructions Email Template
  • New Employee Team Introduction Email Template
  • New Employee Team Introduction Welcome Sheet Template
  • Department Orientation Presentation Template
  • Tips for Remote Employee Onboarding 
  • Automatic New Employee Emails

How to Use It

Customize the tools in the toolkit to fit the needs of your department or new employee. If you already have an onboarding process and materials, feel free to continue using them.

Review and download the Onboarding Toolkit

 


Resources for New Employees

While you prepare to onboard your new employee, please share the 
New Employee Onboarding webpage for resources and links to:

  • Benefits Orientation Dates
  • Compliance Training                         
  • CatCards
  • Parking Information                          
  • New Wildcat Social events & and more!

Estimated Onboarding Time

The time required to prepare for and onboard a new employee will vary. This is a general estimate.

Pre-boarding: 1-2 weeks before start date

  • Estimated time: 7-14 hours
  • Potential tasks: Finalizing paperwork, preparing documents, setting up workspaces, creating an onboarding schedule and welcome materials, and coordinating with HR and other key partners/departments.

First 1-2 weeks of onboarding

  • Estimated time: 14-28 hours
  • Potential tasks: Orientation sessions, job-specific training, introduction meetings with partners, and check-in meetings for support and questions.

Ongoing onboarding

  • Timeframe: 3rd week - 12 months
  • Estimated time: 5-10 hours per month
  • Potential tasks: Regular weekly or bi-weekly one-on-one meetings and additional job-specific training sessions.

Review the complete, detailed timeline in the Onboarding Toolkit.

Onboarding Partners

One way to assist the new employee through the initial adjustment period is to provide them with an onboarding partner. The role of the partner is to serve as an informal point of contact for information about the new employee's position and department procedures and social norms. They help create a sense of inclusion and provide support.

The onboarding partner supplements, not substitutes, regular interaction with the employee's supervisor.

Selection Criteria

  • Employed more than one year.
  • Has time (or is given time) and is willing to be accessible to the new employee.
  • Good performance history.
  • Skilled in the new employee’s job.
  • Proud of the organization.
  • Peer of the new employee.
  • Patient with good communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Positive role model.
  • Liked/respected by other employees.

Onboarding Partner Functions

  • Serve as an information source for the new employee on policies, procedures, expectations and norms.
  • Clarify assignments.
  • Identify resources.
  • Provide opportunities for the new employee to socialize with others.
  • Be a lunch companion.
  • Be a tour guide.
  • Provide feedback and encouragement.
  • Provide introductions.

LinkedIn Learning Courses on Onboarding

Visit the About LinkedIn Learning page to activate your free account.

Onboarding New Hires as a Manager

Learn about preboarding activities and your role in new employee success. Explore ways to make the first day and beyond a successful experience for new employees. Get ready to ensure your new hires feel welcome and ready to contribute!

Onboarding in the Hybrid/Remote Workplace

Learn five strategies for enhancing your hiring process by creating an onboarding system to help new employees feel more connected from day one. Ensure your new hires start off on the right track.

Employee Experience

Learn about the importance of employee experience, strategies to keep employees engaged throughout the employee life cycle, and how to measure progress and improve the process.

Do you need more assistance?